Hemophilia

A healthcare provider will start by doing a complete history and physical examination. If you have hemophilia symptoms, the provider will ask about your family’s medical history. Providers may do the following tests:

Complete blood count (CBC): Providers use this test to measure and study blood cells.
Prothrombin time (PT) test: Providers use this test to see how quickly your blood clots.
Activated partial thromboplastin time test: This is another blood test to time blood clot formation.
Specific clotting factor test(s): This blood test show levels of specific clotting factor levels (such as factor 8 and factor 9).

What are clotting factor levels?

Clotting factors help control bleeding. Healthcare providers categorize hemophilia as being mild, moderate or severe based on the amount of clotting factors in your blood:

People who have 5% to 30% of the normal amount of clotting factors in their blood have mild hemophilia.
People with 1% to 5% of the normal level of clotting factors have moderate hemophilia.
People with less than 1% of the normal clotting factors have severe hemophilia.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Diagnosis & treatment

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