HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury
Blood clotting disorders
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Some people have blood that clots more easily than usual. This is called thrombophilia (throm-bo-fill-e-a), as the medical name for blood clot is thrombus.
Blood clotting disorders can be a genetic problem, meaning they're passed on from your parents. They can also happen when you get older because of other medical conditions or problems with your immune system.
Some of the more common types of blood clotting disorders are factor V leiden, prothrombin gene mutation, protein C deficiency and antiphospholipid syndrome.
Blood clotting disorders have no symptoms, unless you get a blood clot. The most common type of clot is in a leg vein (deep vein thrombosis or DVT), which can lead to a more serious condition called pulmonary embolism (PE).
Some blood clotting disorders can also cause clots in an artery ,which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.
Women with a blood clotting disorder can have recurrent miscarriages or pregnancy problems caused by blood clots in the placenta.
Diagnosing blood clotting disorders
Blood clotting disorders are diagnosed by blood tests.
You may need to be checked if a family member has been diagnosed or had an unexplained blood clot under the age of 40.
Treating blood clotting disorders
If you haven’t had a clot, you may not need any treatment. This will depend on the type of blood clotting disorder you have and whether you have an increased risk of getting a blood clot.
You may be advised to:
- have preventative treatment at times when everyone is at a higher risk of clots, such as during long-haul flights, pregnancy or after surgery
- avoid other treatments that increase your risk of clots, such as the combined oral contraceptive pill.
Some people will need to take low-dose aspirin or blood-thinning medicines (also called anticoagulants) to prevent clots. They may have to take them for a limited time or permanently.
Important
Tell your doctor if you or a close relative of yours has ever had a blood clot.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Patient.info – Thrombophilia
This UK site explains what causes thrombophilia, how it's diagnosed and treated and what the complications are. It also gives more information about the different types of blood clotting disorders.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed February 2023.
Sources
Review key: HIBCD-165829
