Treatment

Doctors generally prescribe blood-thinning medications to treat people who develop abnormal blood clots. This type of medicine usually isn't needed for people who have the factor V Leiden mutation but who have not experienced abnormal blood clots.

However, your doctor might suggest that you take extra precautions to prevent blood clots if you have the factor V Leiden mutation and are going to have surgery. These precautions might include:

• A short course of blood thinners
• Leg wraps that inflate and deflate to keep blood moving in your legs
• Compression stockings
• Going for walks soon after surgery