Etymed
hypercoagulability
Definition
A pathological condition characterized by an increased tendency for blood to clot excessively, leading to abnormal thrombus formation
Clinical context
A 28-year-old pregnant woman at 36 weeks gestation presents with sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath. She has a history of deep vein thrombosis during her first pregnancy. Physical examination reveals tachypnea and elevated D-dimer levels. What underlying condition best explains her presentation?
Mnemonic
HYPERCOAG - High Yield, Emergency, Pregnancy, Obesity, Repetitive, Exhaustion, Thrombosis - All these factors increase clotting risk