Hypercoagulation is a condition in which your blood clots too easily. Whether inherited or acquired, it can lead to potentially life threatening complications, but medication, diet, and lifestyle strategies may reduce this risk.

Blood clotting (coagulation) is an important process in the human body. It helps prevent excessive blood loss from wounds or injuries.

In some cases, your blood may clot too much, or your body doesn’t break down temporary blood clots as it should. This is known as hypercoagulation. Sometimes, hypercoagulation has genetic causes. This is called inherited thrombophilia.

Excessive blood clotting in hypercoagulation is a dangerous condition because it can potentially lead to life threatening clots in your veins or arteries.

Keep reading to learn more about hypercoagulation, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Hypercoagulation may not cause symptoms unless a blood clot forms and cuts off blood circulation to certain parts of your body, such as your brain, heart, or legs.

Seek emergency medical help if you or a loved one experiences any of the following possible blood clot symptoms:

  • pain, swelling, and discoloration in one leg or arm
  • visibly swollen veins that are also painful to the touch
  • breathing difficulties
  • very fast heart rate
  • chest pain, which may also radiate between your jaw and left arm
  • face drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech
  • confusion or loss of consciousness

Hypercoagulation may be inherited (passed on from your parents), but it’s more commonly acquired due to other conditions. It’s also possible to have both genetic and acquired hypercoagulation.

Genetic causes

Your genes code for proteins. Genetic mutations can cause changes to specific proteins. In genetic hypercoagulation disorders, aka inherited thrombophilia, these mutations affect proteins in your blood that help with clotting.

These conditions may cause your blood to clot too much or prevent temporary clots from dissolving properly.

Acquired causes

Hypercoagulation may result from certain conditions, medications, or lifestyle habits. Examples include:

  • smoking
  • long-term bed rest, including in a hospital setting
  • traveling in a car or plane
  • overweight or obesity
  • pregnancy
  • hormone replacement therapy
  • oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
  • certain cancers
  • excessive amounts of blood platelets (thrombocythemia)
  • chronic inflammation, including those related to autoimmune diseases

Since the 1960s, researchers have identified several forms of inherited and acquired thrombophilia. Some conditions are present from birth, while others may develop later in life.

Examples include:

  • Factor V Leiden: Experts think that about 30% of people with venous thromboembolism (VTE) have genetic factor V Leiden. It’s a type of inherited condition that affects factor V proteins in your blood. About 3% to 8% of people of European ancestry have this gene mutation.
  • Prothrombin G20210A: Also known as factor II mutation, this is the second most common type of inherited thrombophilia. It’s also more common in people of European ancestry.
  • Antithrombin deficiency: Antithrombin is an anticoagulant in the body. About 1 in 500 people have this type of inherited thrombophilia.
  • Protein C and protein S deficiencies: Protein C and protein S help prevent blood clots. Low levels increase the risk of excessive clotting. About 1% of people inherit these types of thrombophilia, but they can also be acquired.
  • Elevated factor VIII: Higher levels of this clotting protein can increase your risk of thrombosis. Black people are more likely to have elevated factor VIII, as are those who do not have O blood types. Factor VIII levels may also increase due to high estrogen levels.
  • Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS): The most common type of acquired thrombophilia, APS is an autoimmune disease that creates antibodies that attack phospholipids in your blood cells.
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): Unlike APS, DIC is not autoimmune. Severe and acute inflammation, injury, or infection can cause this rare condition.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia: High levels of homocysteine in your blood may also increase your risk of thrombosis. Various factors, such as hypothyroidism, immunosuppressive drugs, and B vitamin deficiencies, can cause it.

Which genes cause hypercoagulation disorders?

Researchers have discovered at least 15 genetic mutations that can cause inherited thrombophilia. However, only two specific mutations are responsible for most cases:

  • F5 (factor V), which causes factor V Leiden
  • F2 (factor II), which causes prothrombin G20210A

Parents most often pass on these mutations to their children in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning there’s a 50% chance the child will have the mutation.

In general, a doctor may diagnose hypercoagulation based on:

Hypercoagulation and related inherited disorders typically don’t require treatment unless a blood clot develops. In such cases, a doctor may consider either emergency treatments or medications.

Emergency treatment

Emergency treatment is required for an active blood clot, such as those that contribute to heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism. In an emergency department, a doctor will administer thrombolytics to help break up the clot.

Thrombolytics are medications that help break down blood clots. Because they can cause sudden bleeding, they’re for emergency use only.

Standard treatment

Inherited forms of hypercoagulation may not necessarily require treatment. In some cases, a doctor may recommend direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to help lower your risk of developing a blood clot.

If you already have a history of blood clots, such as those related to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a doctor may prescribe anticoagulants, also called blood thinners.

In some cases, you may need to take these medications for several years to reduce your risk of a potentially life threatening blood clot from forming.

Hypercoagulation and diet

Eating a heart-healthy diet that includes whole foods and reduces processed ones can support your cardiovascular health.

If you’re currently taking warfarin, a common blood thinner, a doctor will also talk with you about maintaining a steady daily vitamin K intake. Vitamin K is a coagulating nutrient found in a variety of vegetables, meats, and cheeses. Some multivitamins also include it.

If your vitamin K levels suddenly drop while taking warfarin, you may be at risk of bleeding. On the flip side, consuming more vitamin K than usual may increase your risk of blood clots. Talk with a doctor about your diet and any supplements you take.

Newer anticoagulants, like DOACs, do not depend on vitamin K.

A doctor may also recommend other dietary modifications to reduce your risk of thrombosis. Researchers believe a diet rich in plant foods, healthy oils, and fish, such as the Mediterranean diet, may help.

Hypercoagulation carries a risk of blood clots staying in your bloodstream and traveling to other areas of your body. This could lead to potential complications, such as:

Hypercoagulation and pregnancy

Hypercoagulation is common during pregnancy, even during very early stages. Pregnant people may be up to five times more likely to experience a blood clot. This risk is even greater in people who already have thrombophilia.

In addition to threatening the life of the birthing parent, possible complications of hypercoagulation during pregnancy include:

Hypercoagulation is a potentially serious condition that causes your blood to clot more than it should. Most cases are acquired, though some people may also have a genetic predisposition to this condition.

In either case, hypercoagulation may increase your risk of developing life threatening blood clots. Talk with a doctor about treatments if you have a high risk or have a history of blood clots.

If you have certain risk factors for developing acquired hypercoagulation, consider talking with a doctor about ways to prevent blood clots from forming.