Medication
If you have the heterozygous type, there is a 50% chance that your child will inherit a Factor V Leiden gene from you. There is also a 50% chance that your child will inherit your normal Factor V gene. If you have the homozygous type, your child will inherit a Factor V Leiden gene.
Nutrition
What is the Treatment for Factor V Leiden ? Most people with Factor V Leiden do not form abnormal clots and require no treatment. If abnormal clots become an issue, "blood-thinning" medications, like Coumadin, can be used to impair the clotting system. This will halt growth of the clot and reduce the risk of future clots. Complications
What are the chances of getting Leiden factor V?
Your doctor can diagnose FVL by ordering special screening and confirmatory blood tests that are specific to detect the presence of the mutation. Despite the fact that FVL can be diagnosed by simple blood tests, such testing is not necessary in every person with a personal or family history of DVT or PE.
Does factor V Leiden have a cure?
Xarelto ® (rivaroxiban) and Eliquis ® (apixaban) are direct inhibitors of factor Xa. Pradaxa ® (dabigatran) is a direct thrombin inhibitor. These drugs invalidate most functional clotting coagulation tests when being used in a diagnostic setting.
Should I get tested for factor V Leiden?
Is Pradaxa approved for factor V Leiden?
How serious is factor V Leiden?
Factor V Leiden can cause blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism). These blood clots can be life-threatening.
What should you avoid with factor V Leiden?
If your factor V Leiden requires you to take anticoagulant medication, here are some steps that might help you prevent injury and avoid excessive bleeding:Avoid playing contact sports or engaging in other activities that could result in physical injury. ... Use a soft toothbrush and waxed floss.More items...•
What is the life expectancy for someone with factor V Leiden?
The mean age of death was 70 years (range, 40 to 96 years) in men and 71 years (range, 33 to 96 years) in women.
Does factor V Leiden shorten your life?
We conclude that there is no major effect of APC resistance on life expectancy. Therefore, long-term anticoagulation in carriers of factor V Leiden, on the basis of the carrier state alone, is not indicated.
Is factor V Leiden a disability?
In a June 2012 rating decision, the RO increased the evaluation of the Veteran's prothrombin gene mutation with factor V Leiden mutation to 40 percent disabling, effective the date VA received his claim.
What is the treatment for blood clot in brain?
Thrombolysis – "clot buster" medicine Ischaemic strokes can often be treated using injections of a medicine called alteplase, which dissolves blood clots and restores blood flow to the brain. This use of "clot-busting" medicine is known as thrombolysis.
Can Factor 5 Leiden cause strokes?
Factor V Leiden is the most common genetic predisposition to blood clots. Individuals born with FVL are more likely to develop vein clots (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), but not heart attacks, strokes or blood clots in the arteries of the legs.
Which blood thinner is best for factor V Leiden?
For patients with confirmed deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, anticoagulant therapy with subcutaneous low molecular-weight heparin, monitored IV, or subcutaneous unfractionated heparin or fondaparinux can be used [5].
Can someone with factor V Leiden donate blood?
People with factor V Leiden may donate blood, platelets or plasma safely, as long as they are not on an anticoagulant such as warfarin. Only a very few medicines prevent people from donating blood.
Should I take aspirin if I have Factor V Leiden?
Though factor V Leiden alone does not seem to raise the risk of arterial clots, something as simple as daily therapy with low-dose aspirin may help prevent a heart attack or stroke in people with factor V Leiden if they have additional risk factors.
Can you take ibuprofen with Factor V Leiden?
It is important that people with Factor V deficiency should not use Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen) as this greatly increases the risk of bleeding.
How do u prevent blood clots?
Preventing Blood ClotsWear loose-fitting clothes, socks, or stockings.Raise your legs 6 inches above your heart from time to time.Wear special stockings (called compression stockings) if your doctor prescribes them.Do exercises your doctor gives you.Change your position often, especially during a long trip.More items...
Why is factor V called "Leiden"?
The mutation is named factor V “Leiden” because it was originally discovered at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, in 1994. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy.
How to diagnose FVL?
Your doctor can diagnose FVL by ordering special screening and confirmatory blood tests that are specific to detect the presence of the mutation. Despite the fact that FVL can be diagnosed by simple blood tests, such testing is not necessary in every person with a personal or family history of DVT or PE.
What is the most common mutation in a person born with FVL?
The “heterozygous” FVL is by far the most common mutation. If you have FVL, the risk of developing abnormal blood clots may depend on whether you have the heterozygous or the homozygous mutation. People who are born with FVL are at higher risk of developing DVT and PE.
What is the FVL gene?
FVL results from a mutation (change) of the gene that makes one of the proteins of our coagulation system, called factor V (or “factor 5”). Because each protein in our body is made by two different genes (one inherited from Mom, one inherited from Dad), there are two types of FVL: “ heterozygous ” ...
What is factor 5?
Factor V Leiden (FVL), or factor “5” Leiden, is a genetic mutation (change) that makes the blood more prone to abnormal clotting. Factor V Leiden is the most common genetic predisposition to blood clots. Individuals born with FVL are more likely to develop vein clots ( deep vein thrombosis or DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), but not heart attacks, ...
What is the cause of FVL?
FVL is caused by a genetic mutation to the Factor V (or “factor 5”) gene. This gene helps our body make the coagulation factor V protein, which is one of the many proteins in our coagulation system that help our blood clot after an injury. The FVL mutation makes coagulation factor V work in “overdrive,” which increases the tendency ...
Where is FVL found?
It is less common in Native Americans and African-Americans than in those of Northern European ancestry. In some countries of Northern Europe, FVL is found in up to 10-15% of the population. It is less common in South America, Africa and Asia, where it can be found in less than 1-3% of the population.
What is factor V leiden?
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) Some people with Factor V Leiden develop blood clots that manifest in the veins of the brain. Cerebral vein and cerebral venous sinus thromboses are blood clots that form in the veins that drain the blood from the brain called the sinuses and cerebral veins.
What is factor V thrombophilia treated with?
People with Factor V Leiden thrombophilia who have had a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) are usually treated with blood thinners called anticoagulants (meds such as heparin and warfarin).
What are the symptoms of factor V?
If you have Factor V Leiden, you need to be very aware of the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVTs), pulmonary embolism (PEs), cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVSTs), and other types of blood clots so you can seek medical attention immediately.
Can factor V cause sinus thrombosis?
These triggers, especially if combined with Factor V Leiden, can cause a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Symptoms from sinus and cerebral vein clots depend on the location and extent of the clot and vary from patient to patient. Severe headache, often described as the worst headache that a patient has ever had.
Can factor V Leiden be treated with anticoagulant?
People who have Factor V Leiden but have never had a blood clot are not routinely treated with an anticoagulant. Instead, they are counseled about reducing or eliminating other factors that add to their risk for clots.
Can factor V thrombophilia cause a normal pregnancy?
Factor V Leiden can further increase those risks. Women with Factor V Leiden thrombophilia most often have normal pregnancies. Treatment with an anticoagulant during pregnancy and/or following delivery is common depending on the woman’s personal and family health history, method of delivery, and other risk factors.
Can factor V leiden be treated?
It is not usually recommended that people with Factor V Leiden be treated lifelong with anticoagulants if they have had only one DVT or PE, unless they have additional blood clot risk factors.
What is factor V?
Factor V Leiden is a genetic disorder. An abnormality in the affected individual's DNA results in the production of an abnormal form of Factor V. The amount of abnormal Factor V, and the severity of disease, depends on the presence of one or two copies of the mutated gene. Those with one copy are 10 times as likely to have a significant abnormal clot in their lifetime compared to those born without the abnormal gene. Those with two copies are 60 times more likely.#N#Approximately 5% of the Caucasian population carries at least one Factor V Leiden gene. It is less common in other ethnic groups. Having one or two copies of the Factor V Leiden gene does not guarantee abnormal clots will form because other circumstances are involved. The lifetime incidence of an abnormal clot in the general population is 1 in every 100,000 people. This risk increases to 1 in every 10,000 people if one copy of the abnormal gene is present. It increases to 6 in every 10,000 people if two copies are present. This means most people with Factor V Leiden will never experience an abnormal clot in the course of their lives.
What is factor V in blood clotting?
What is Factor V Leiden? Blood clotting is a complex process involving many steps and substances. One of these substances is a protein called Factor V (pronounced Factor Five). Factor V represents an important control step in the clotting process.
Can factor V cause a clot?
This means most people with Factor V Leiden will never experience an abnormal clot in the course of their lives. The vast majority of those affected with Factor V Leiden will never encounter a problem and most will never be aware they are affected. However, when abnormal clots do form, the symptoms can be severe.
Is factor V Leiden inherited?
Since Factor V Leiden is an inherited condition, there is no way to prevent it. However, there are certain lifestyle changes one can make to reduce the risk of abnormal clot formation. Regular physical activity and avoidance of staying in a single position for a long period of time can reduce the risk of abnormal clots.
What is factor V Leiden?
Overview. Factor V Leiden (FAK-tur five LIDE-n) is a mutation of one of the clotting factors in the blood. This mutation can increase your chance of developing abnormal blood clots, most commonly in your legs or lungs. Most people with factor V Leiden never develop abnormal clots. But in people who do, these abnormal clots can lead ...
What is the risk of inheriting factor V Leiden?
The disorder is most common in people who are white and of European descent. People who have inherited factor V Leiden from only one parent have a 5 percent chance of developing an abnormal blood clot by age 65.
What is it called when a DVT breaks free?
A clot that travels to your lungs. Known as a pulmonary embolism , this occurs when a portion of a DVT breaks free and travels through the right side of your heart to your lung, where it blocks blood flow. This can be a life-threatening situation. Signs and symptoms may include: Sudden shortness of breath.
Does factor V cause a clot?
The factor V Leiden mutation does not itself cause any symptoms. Since factor V Leiden is a risk for developing blood clots in the leg or lungs, the first indication that you have the disorder may be the development of an abnormal blood clot. Some clots do no damage and disappear on their own. Others can be life-threatening.
Can factor V clots be life threatening?
But in people who do, these abnormal clots can lead to long-term health problems or become life-threatening. Both men and women can have factor V Leiden.
Why do we get factor V?
You get factor V Leiden because of your genes. That means you were born with a change or “mutation” that causes it. You can get it from one or both of your parents.
What does factor V mean in blood?
Factor V Leiden (FVL) is a change in your genes that affects one of the clotting factors in your blood and keeps your body's blood-clotting process from working right.
What is the clotting factor in blood?
Clots are clumps of blood cells called platelets and protein strands in the liquid part of your blood called plasma. Factor V (factor 5) is one of several special proteins in your blood that help it clot. They're called clotting factors.
What is factor V in pulmonary embolism?
These can block the arteriesin your lungs, which is called pulmonary embolism (PE). Factor V Leiden is also known as Leiden type, APC resistance, and hereditary resistance to activated protein C. Factor V Leiden Causes and Risk Factors. You get factor V Leiden because of your genes.
How to lower risk of blood clots?
Factor V Leiden can also make your babygrow more slowly. How to lower your risk of blood clots. If you have a genetic condition that puts you at risk for blood clots, you can make lifestyle changes to lower the chance that you will get one. Be safe. Avoid bruisesand cuts. Try not to bump or injure your legs.
Can factor V cause a miscarriage?
A miscarriage or stillbirth. Women who have factor V Leiden are two to three times more likely to lose a babyin the second or third trimester. This can happen more than once. It can also make you more likely to get high blood pressureduring pregnancy (called preeclampsia) or early separation of the placentafrom your uterine wall ...
Can factor V Leiden cause blood clots?
Genetic conditions like factor V Leidenand a prothrombin gene mutation can make it more likely that you will develop health problems because of blood clots. And being prone to blood clots can put you at risk for two health conditions: Deep vein thrombosis(DVT).
What is factor V Leiden treated with?
People with factor V Leiden who have had a DVT or PE are usually treated with blood thinners, or anticoagulants. Anticoagulants such as heparin are given for varying amounts of time depending on the person's situation.
How many people have the Leiden mutation?
Between 3 and 8 percent of the Caucasian (white) U.S. and European populations carry one copy of the factor V Leiden mutation, and about 1 in 5,000 people have two copies of the mutation. The mutation is less common in other populations.
What is the role of factor V in thrombophilia?
A mutation in the factor V gene (F5) increases the risk of developing factor V Leiden thrombophilia. The protein made by F5 called factor V plays a critical role in the formation of blood clots in response to injury. The Factor V protein is involved in a series of chemical reactions that hold blood clots together.
What is factor V mutation?
People who have the factor V Leiden mutation are at somewhat higher than average risk for a type of clot that forms in large veins in the legs (deep venous thrombosis, or DVT) or a clot that travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the lungs (pulmonary embolism, or PE).
Do women with factor V Leiden have a higher risk of developing DVT?
Women with factor V Leiden who take OCPs have about a 35- fold increased risk of developing a DVT or PE compared with women without factor V Leiden and those who do not take OCPs.
Does factor V Leiden cause thrombosis?
The symptoms of factor V Leiden vary among individuals. There are some individuals who have the F5 gene and who never develop thrombosis , while others have recurr ing thrombosis before the age of 30 years.
Can factor V inactivate factor V?
In people with the factor V Leiden mutation, APC is unable to inactivate factor V normally. As a result, the clotting process continues longer than usual, increasing the chance of developing abnormal blood clots.
What is the most common hereditary defect predisposing to venous thrombosis?
FVL mutation is currently the most common known hereditary defect predisposing to venous thrombosis. Areas covered: Novel data-driven FVL diagnosis and therapeutic approaches in the management of FVL carriers in various clinical settings.
Is FVL diagnosis accurate?
Expert commentary: Although FVL diagnosis nowadays is highly accurate, many doubts remain regarding the best management and therapeutic protocols.
Why is factor V Leiden beneficial?
Because the people with Factor V Leiden have blood that clots more easily, it has been suggested that this may be beneficial during times during bleeding episodes (e.g. during menstruation or after childbirth). This is only a theory and there has not been any studies to confirm this theory.
What is factor V Leiden?
Factor V Leiden is a common change in a gene that controls a protein called Factor V. Factor V is a protein involved in blood clotting and the Factor V Leiden gene change (also called mutation) is linked to an increase risk of blood clots.
What are the problems with factor V Leiden mutation?
What are the main problems with having the Factor V Leiden mutation? The main problem with having Factor V Leiden mutation is having an increased risk of developing blood clots. Blood clots can occur in blood vessels and can sometimes travel to different parts of the body including the lungs. Having Factor V Leiden increases your risk ...
Why do people with factor V Leiden need to go on blood thinners?
Sometimes people with the Factor V Leiden mutation may need to go on blood thinning medication to reduce the risk of developing blood clots. This will depend on lots of other factors including a past medical history of clots or a family history of blood clots.
How many times more likely is a blood clot if you have one copy of the factor V mutation?
If you have one copy of the Factor V Leiden mutation (also called being a heterozygote for this gene), you are at around 8 times more at risk of developing a blood clot compared to someone your age who does not have this gene change. If you have two copies of the Factor V Leiden mutation (called homozygote), you have approximately 80 times ...
How to protect against blood clots?
Maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking, staying active and keeping any other medical conditions under control should also help you protect against getting any blood clots. You should tell your doctor or surgeon that you have the Factor V Leiden mutation before any operations or prolonged periods of bed rest.
Can you get blood clots from factor V?
Most people with one copy of the Factor V Leiden mutation DO NOT develop blood clots. Blood clots usually only develop when there are other “risk factors” for blood clots. Blood clots develop when the circulation of the blood flow is reduced (e.g. after long flights, after surgery etc.) or in people with other serious medical conditions such as ...
