How long you need anticoagulants depends on the balance of risks between having a blood clot and bleeding; these will differ for each individual. Your specialist will decide the length of time anticoagulants are needed in your particular case. This is just a guide. To help you remember, I have added song titles from the performers at the Coronation Concert. I have even … [Read more...]
Factor V Leiden – Controlling Factor V
I explained how Factor V helped to speed up clotting in my last post. I compared it to pouring petrol on a fire. In this post, I will look at how Factor V is controlled. Clotting is complex but quite precisely controlled. It only takes place when and where you need it. You want the bleeding to stop at the site of the injury when you cut your finger, but you don’t want … [Read more...]
The Royal Disease
Since the Coronation, the internet and magazines have been full of pictures of Royalty. So I thought it would be appropriate to post on the "Royal Disease", namely Haemophilia. Although this is not strictly related to taking anticoagulants, it is a serious disorder affecting clotting. Queen Victoria Queen Victoria was a carrier for Haemophilia. She had nine children. Her … [Read more...]
Factor V Leiden – What is Factor V?
In my introductory post about Factor V Leiden, I discussed how this is an inherited condition and relatively common affecting around 4% of people of European decent. In this post I will take you through some of the basics of clotting to help you understand why Factor V Leiden increases your risk of clots. Factor V Factor V Leiden is an abnormal form of the clotting … [Read more...]
Coronation and clotting
As the Coronation is taking place this week, I thought I should try to find some link between the Coronation and clotting. First, I tried to find out if any royals had suffered from clotting problems. George VI died from coronary thrombosis, and I am sure other Royal family members have had heart problems or venous thrombosis, but none seemed particularly interesting. I also … [Read more...]
Coagulation Essentials Quiz
It has been a while since I posted on Coagulation Conversation, but I have a series of posts planned on Factor V Leiden over the next few months. These should help you understand this condition and how it affects you. You may have seen my introductory post about this last year. I have a personal interest in this as it affects my family. However, to get back into … [Read more...]
Factor V Leiden – A family affair
I see people with blood clots every week, and I am frequently asked, “Why did I get a clot?” Provoked or unprovoked clot In many cases it is obvious why the clot occurred. In approximately 50% of cases, there is a clear provoking factor; The common ones are. Recent surgeryInjury to the legImmobilityLong air flightUnderlying cancer In women Taking an oral … [Read more...]
COVID, clots and Shots – Factor V Leiden and the Pfizer vaccine
Over the last few months, both doctors and patients have asked me several times if it is safe for people with the Factor V Leiden mutation to have the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. At first, I couldn't understand why this question would come up, as there is no evidence that the Pfizer vaccine has any risk of thrombosis. But I presume the concern has come from publicity about the … [Read more...]
New Year resolutions for clotters
New Year is the time for making resolutions. If you are like me, they last for a few weeks at most but the intention is good. For people who have had a blood clot, these are three things that you might want to add to your resolutions for this year. Take your tablets regularly If you are taking an anticoagulant, you must keep taking it regularly. This is probably more … [Read more...]
Santa Claus atrial fibrillation risk
An article in The Medical Journal of Australia raised concerns that Santa has a risk of developing atrial fibrillation because of his advanced age and other risk factors. Currently, there is no guide to help manage his condition. Fortunately, the authors of the article have come up with some useful advice. They proposed the SANTA CLAUS mnemonic to aid … [Read more...]
