In addition to inactivity, which condition increases the likelihood of pulmonary embolism?

The likelihood of pulmonary embolism increases significantly with obesity due to several interrelated factors. Excess body weight is associated with a higher prevalence of venous thromboembolism, which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that can lead to pulmonary embolism. Obesity contributes to venous stasis, as heavier individuals have greater difficulty in maintaining proper blood flow in their extremities, particularly in the veins. This stasis can promote clot formation in the veins of the legs.

Moreover, obesity is often accompanied by other risk factors for thrombosis such as inflammation, increased levels of certain coagulation factors, and reduced mobility—all of which can further elevate the risk of developing clots that may dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Addressing obesity through lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the incidence of these complications.

While the other conditions mentioned—diabetes, asthma, and hypertension—can certainly contribute to overall health issues and have various associations with cardiovascular disease, they are not as strongly linked to the direct mechanisms of clot formation and the specific risk of pulmonary embolism as obesity is.