What is hypercoagulation?
When you get a cut, your body
stops the bleeding by forming a blood clot (a thickened
mass). Substances in your blood (called proteins) work with
tiny particles (called platelets) to form the clot. Forming
a clot is called coagulation. Coagulation helps when you are
injured because it slows blood loss. However, your blood
shouldn't clot when it's moving through your body in your
blood vessels. The tendency to clot too much is called
hypercoagulation. It can be very dangerous.
Why is hypercoagulation
dangerous?
A clot inside a blood vessel
is called a thrombus. Sometimes the thrombus can travel in
the bloodstream and get stuck in your lungs. This kind of
clot (called a pulmonary embolus) keeps blood from getting
to your lungs. A pulmonary embolus can be life-threatening.
A clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain can cause a
stroke. A clot in a blood vessel in the heart can cause a
heart attack. Blood clots can cause some women to have
miscarriages.
What causes
hypercoagulation?
There are proteins in your
body that are supposed to keep your blood from clotting too
much. some people don't make enough of these proteins. In
other people, these proteins aren't doing their job
properly. Or a person may have an extra protein in their
blood that causes too much clotting. Hypercoagulation has a
few other causes, but those causes are rare.
Some people are born with a tendency to develop clots. This
tendency is inherited (comes from your parents).
Certain situations or risk factors can make it easier for
your blood to clot too much. These situations include the
following:
- Sitting on an airplane
or in a car for a long time
- Having prolonged bed
rest (several days at a time)
- Having surgery
- Having cancer
- Being pregnant
- Using birth control
pills
How do I know if I have a
problem with hypercoagulation?
Your doctor might think that
you have a problem with hypercoagulation if any of the
following are true:
- You have relatives with
abnormal or excessive clotting.
- You had an abnormal clot
at a young age.
- You got clots when you
were pregnant or were using birth control pills.
- You have had several
unexplained miscarriages.
If your doctor suspects you
have hypercoagulation, tests can check the proteins in your
blood. The tests will also show if your proteins are working
the right way.
Can hypercoagulation be
treated?
Yes. Several medicines can
thin your blood and make it less likely to clot. Some people
with hypercoagulation only need to take blood thinners when
they're in a situation that makes them more likely to form
clots--like when they're in the hospital recovering from
surgery, when they're in a car or airplane for a long time,
or when they're pregnant. Other people need to take medicine
on an ongoing basis for the rest of their lives. Your doctor
will decide what treatment is right for you.
What medicines are used to
treat hypercoagulation?
The two most common blood
thinners are called heparin and warfarin (brand name:
Coumadin). Your doctor will probably give you heparin first,
because heparin works right away. Heparin must be injected
with a small needle under the skin. Once the heparin starts
working, your doctor will probably have you start taking
oral warfarin. Warfarin takes longer to begin working.
What are the side effects
of these medicines?
Both medicines can cause you
to bleed more easily. If you cut yourself, you might notice
that the blood takes longer to clot. You might bruise more
easily. If you have any unusual or heavy bleeding, call your
doctor.
Warfarin has a stronger effect on some people than on
others. If you take warfarin, your doctor will want to check
you often with a blood test that tells your doctor how well
the warfarin is working. Some other medicines can make
warfarin more or less strong. Ask your doctor before you
take a new medicine, even over-the-counter medicines and
vitamins. Also, talk to your doctor about foods you should
avoid while taking warfarin.
If you're pregnant, you shouldn't take warfarin. Warfarin
can cause birth defects. Instead, you must use heparin until
you have your baby. If you want to get pregnant and you're
already taking warfarin, talk with your doctor about
changing to heparin. Sexually active women who take warfarin
should use birth control.
Source:
American Academy of Family
Physicians
