Genetic Testing for Blood Clotting

Submitted by Medical Health Test Team on October 15, 2012

There are several conditions that could cause clotting disorders. These disorders result in the formation of blood clots without any reason or in the inability of clots to form around a wound when they are required. Blood clots can be particularly dangerous and are often known as silent killers. When a blood clot flows through the blood and reaches a vital organ it could cause absolute havoc. Blood clots have been known to cause sudden heart attacks or brain related problems when the flow of blood to the brain gets suddenly halted.

Recent medical research has suggested that there is a genetic link between members of a family that may cause them to be more susceptible to blood clots than the average population. There are many different conditions that tend to run through a family which is why some families tend to be at a greater risk of heart conditions, or diabetes, or any other condition depending on their ancestry. The understanding, now, is that there is a genetic link between the successive parents and children that causes them to be more likely to develop a particular health problems. This understanding has been applied to blood clotting conditions as well.

The genes inherited by a person are a result of the interaction of the genetics of each parent. Each parent has their own unique DNA. This DNA interacts at the time of pregnancy to form a new DNA strain which is unique to the baby. This new DNA is a combination of the DNA from each parent. When a person tests positive for a genetic blood clot problem, it is because one or both parents are susceptible to this condition and also that the gene responsible for the condition is a dominant gene. It is entirely possible that a person with one susceptible parent will not inherit the gene that increases the risk of blood clotting disorders.

Many blood clotting conditions can be dealt with through preventive medication and continuous visits to a doctor to monitor one’s health. However, it is highly unlikely that a person will be able to manage a clotting disorder unless it has been diagnosed which is why genetic testing for blood clots disorder is important. Such a test, if positive, should be repeated over all related people of the family. By doing so, one could establish their own susceptibility to the condition and take preventive action to avoid any serious medical emergencies that could be caused by clotting disorders.

More articles from the Genetic Testing Category
ADVERTISEMENT