Blood clotting disorders Ngā māuiui poketoto

Blood clotting disorders can be genetic, meaning they are 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
• antiphospholipid syndrome.

Blood clotting disorders have no symptoms, unless you get a blood clot. The most common type of clot is in a vein deep inside your leg (deep vein thrombosis). This can lead to a more serious condition called pulmonary embolism.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

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 repeated miscarriages or pregnancy problems caused by blood clots in the placenta.

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.

If you have not 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.

You may need to take low-dose aspirin or blood-thinning medicines (anticoagulants) to prevent clots. You may have to take them for a limited time or permanently.

If you have a blood clotting disorder, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of getting blood clots, including:

• keeping physically active
• avoiding sitting for long periods without getting up and moving
• avoiding smoking
• drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration — you are more likely to get a clot if you are dehydrated
• avoiding drinking a lot of alcohol — this can make you dehydrated
• losing weight if you are overweight — being overweight increases the risk of blood clots in your legs.