The term “sticky blood” is a common, non-medical phrase used to describe the condition known clinically as hypercoagulability or thrombophilia. This state represents an imbalance in the body’s natural system for regulating blood flow and clotting. While clot formation is life-saving during an injury, an exaggerated tendency to clot can lead to serious complications. The blood’s thickened nature hinders its ability to flow smoothly through the circulatory system. This increased resistance sets the stage for the formation of dangerous blockages.
Defining Hypercoagulability
Hypercoagulability is the formal diagnosis given when a person’s blood has an abnormal predisposition to clotting too easily or too frequently. The condition stems from a disruption in the balance between pro-clotting factors (such as platelets and fibrin) and anti-clotting proteins (like Antithrombin and Protein C). A hypercoagulable state results when the body’s clot-dissolving mechanisms fail or when clotting factors become overactive.
This imbalance leads to the formation of a thrombus, a clot that develops inside a blood vessel without an injury. Physical signs suggesting a clotting issue include unexplained swelling, pain, or discoloration in a limb. These symptoms indicate that blood flow is being compromised by a developing blockage. The blood is unable to maintain the fluid state necessary for efficient circulation.
Primary Dangers and Complications
The heightened risk of forming abnormal blood clots makes hypercoagulability a serious medical concern. Clots can obstruct blood vessels, leading to thrombosis, which threatens the supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs. The most recognized complication is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), where a clot forms in a deep vein, typically in the legs or pelvis.
A DVT becomes dangerous if the clot breaks away and travels through the bloodstream, becoming an embolus. If the embolus lodges in the arteries of the lungs, it causes a blockage called a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). This obstruction prevents oxygenated blood from reaching the rest of the body, causing sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and a drop in blood oxygen levels.
Hypercoagulability can also promote arterial thrombosis, leading to blockages in vessels supplying the heart and brain. A clot blocking a heart artery results in a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. A blockage in a brain artery can cause an ischemic stroke, characterized by sudden symptoms like weakness or difficulty speaking. In both scenarios, the rapid loss of blood flow causes tissue death.
Underlying Causes of Increased Blood Viscosity
The increased tendency to clot is categorized into inherited and acquired factors. Inherited factors, or genetic thrombophilias, involve specific mutations affecting the function or quantity of clotting proteins. Primary is Factor V Leiden, the most common inherited cause, which makes the Factor V clotting protein resistant to inactivation by Protein C.
The Prothrombin G20210A gene mutation is another inherited cause, leading to an overproduction of prothrombin, a precursor to the clotting enzyme thrombin. Less common are deficiencies in natural anticoagulant proteins, such as Antithrombin, Protein C, or Protein S, which also raise the risk of venous clots. These genetic predispositions often increase risk dramatically when combined with acquired factors.
Acquired factors relate to lifestyle, underlying health conditions, or temporary circumstances. Prolonged immobility, such as during long flights or extended bed rest, causes blood to pool and become stagnant, promoting clot formation. Certain medications, including hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, can alter the balance of clotting factors. Systemic conditions like cancer, autoimmune disorders (e.g., Antiphospholipid Syndrome), and inflammatory diseases also create a pro-clotting environment.
Diagnosis and Management Approaches
Diagnosis of hypercoagulability begins with a thorough evaluation of personal and family medical history, looking for unexplained clots. Blood tests measure the levels and function of specific clotting factors and anticoagulant proteins, and screen for common genetic mutations like Factor V Leiden. Imaging studies, such as ultrasound of the limbs, are also performed to detect the presence of an existing DVT.
Management focuses on preventing new clots and stopping existing ones from growing. Anticoagulant therapy, commonly called blood thinners, is the primary treatment, inhibiting the clotting cascade. These medications reduce the blood’s ability to form clots, which is crucial for individuals who have experienced a thrombosis. Lifestyle modifications are also recommended, including adequate hydration, avoiding prolonged immobility, and using compression stockings to improve blood flow. Treating underlying conditions, such as autoimmune disorders or cancer, is integral to long-term management and reducing the risk of recurrence.