About von Willebrand Disease (VWD)

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder that limits the blood’s ability to clot. If blood doesn't clot properly, bleeding can be heavier than normal, or can take longer to stop.1

A protein in the blood called von Willebrand factor (VWF) helps clots form. People with VWD don’t have enough VWF in their blood, or their VWF might not work properly.1

VWD:
  • Is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in humans1
  • Afflicts about one in every 100 people2
  • Affects men and women equally1 (Hemophilia, a less common but better known bleeding disorder, affects mostly men.)

There are three types of VWD. The type of VWD depends on whether a person’s VWF doesn’t work properly, or if there is not enough of it.

Type 1 VWD means the VWF works properly but there is not enough of it. Type 1 is the most common form of VWD, making up 80% of all cases.3,4

If your doctor determines that you have either mild or moderate type 1 VWD, Stimate® Nasal Spray may be right for you. Learn more.

Most people who have von Willebrand disease do not even know it.5 They might have symptoms of VWD, but assume the symptoms are normal or do not need to be treated. Check your symptoms.

 

References

 

1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Diseases and Conditions Index. What is von Willebrand disease? Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/vWD/vWD_WhatIs.html.
Accessed November 5, 2007.

2. Rodeghiero F, Castamon G, Din F. Epidemiological investigation of the prevalence of von Willebrand disease. Blood. 1987;69:454-459.

3. The “Other” Bleeding Disorder. Available at: http://www.haemophilia.org.za/Vonwil2.htm. Accessed
June 20, 2006.

4. Lillicrap D. The basic science, diagnosis and clinical management of von Willebrand disease. Treatment of Hemophilia. Montreal, Canada: World Federation of Hemophilia; 2004;35:1-11.

5. Rick ME. Diagnosis and management of von Willebrand's syndrome. Med Clin North Am. 1994;78:609-623.