What are some causes of blood clots in the heart?

The most common cause of blood clots within one of the chambers of the heart is an irregular heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation, explains Mayo Clinic. Other common factors and conditions that can cause blood clots include deep vein thrombosis, heart arrhythmias, pulmonary embolism and peripheral artery disease.

Sufferers of blood clots within the heart are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke as the clot may move to the brain or block the flow of blood through the artery, notes Mayo Clinic. Blood clots that lead to further complications, such as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, also increases the chance of developing additional blood clots.