Guide To Managing Factor V Leiden
Factor V Leiden is a mutation of the genes that causes impairment to the normal process of blood clotting. In a healthy individual who is bleeding, platelets and clotting factors or specific proteins form a clot to stop the bleeding. When the bleeding stops, different proteins tell the clotting factors to break apart so the clot can dissipate. With factor V Leiden, the impairment lies within the process that is supposed to occur when it is time for the clotting factors to break up. This impairment can lead to the excess blood clots breaking free and flowing throughout the bloodstream. Depending on where the blood clots travel to, they can cause life-threatening or minor problems. For example, when a blood clot moves into the brain and blocks blood flow, a stroke may occur. Although there is no cure for factor V Leiden, there are several ways to manage it.