What is Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia?
Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia is a inherited genetic disorder that causes abnormal blood clots. Factor V Leiden is the name of a specific gene mutation that results in thrombophilia. Thrombophilia is the increased tendency to form internal blood clots. It occurs in veins and arteries. Factor V Leiden is the most common of the different genetic and hereditary thrombophilia's.
How a blood clot forms?
Blood clots are formed naturally as a result of the skin being punctured or wounded. Immediately a clot is formed to seal the skin and prevent any further bleeding. The clotting begins when the blood cells and fibrin, a protein produced by the liver and found in blood plasma, combine and begin to clump together to heal the wound. If it were not for blood clots a person could bleed to death.
How a blood clot forms?
Blood clots are formed naturally as a result of the skin being punctured or wounded. Immediately a clot is formed to seal the skin and prevent any further bleeding. The clotting begins when the blood cells and fibrin, a protein produced by the liver and found in blood plasma, combine and begin to clump together to heal the wound. If it were not for blood clots a person could bleed to death.
Why is it dangerous?
People with Factor V have a higher risk of developing a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A video of how a DVT forms is provided at the bottom of this page. These can form in different parts of the body. As a clot continues to grow it could leave its place completely and move down the blood stream.The clot would continue to move and reach places where it would get caught. For example if a clot gets lodged in lungs it can affect breathing. This is known as pulmonary embolus. The clot can also remain and stop the flow of blood.
People with Factor V have a higher risk of developing a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A video of how a DVT forms is provided at the bottom of this page. These can form in different parts of the body. As a clot continues to grow it could leave its place completely and move down the blood stream.The clot would continue to move and reach places where it would get caught. For example if a clot gets lodged in lungs it can affect breathing. This is known as pulmonary embolus. The clot can also remain and stop the flow of blood.
In shorter terms, Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia is a genetic disorder that can result in large and dangerous blood clots. It could be considered the opposite of hemophilia, which prevents blood from clotting.