Thrombophilia refers to a group of disorders that affect the clotting of blood. According to the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, approximately five to eight percent of the U.S. population has one of these clotting disorders.

These disorders are hereditary defects in one or more of the clotting factors, which have the potential to cause the formation of potentially dangerous blood clots (also known as thrombosis). The most common genetic risk factor for venous thrombosis is factor V Leiden, which is present in 5 percent of the general population.

Use the links to the right under “Related Topic” for more information.