The most common inherited bleeding disorder is von Willebrand Disease (vWD), affecting 1% of the population. It occurs equally in males and females.

vWd Links

The following links are provided as a service to our website visitors. When you click on these links you will leave our website and be directed to various organizations that can provide you with additional information. General Information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hematologic Diseases Branch National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Hemophilia Foundation American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network U.S. Hemophilia Treatment Locator

Types of vWd:

• Type 1 — reduced amount of von Willebrand factor (vWf) in the blood

• Type 2A, 2B, 2M, and 2N — von Willebrand factor (vWf) levels may be normal, but the vWf does not work properly

• Type 3 — very little or no von Willebrand factor (vWf) in the blood

von Willebrand factor (vWf) is a protein in the blood that has two important functions in helping blood to clot. vWf is the “glue” that helps platelets stick to the blood vessel wall at the site of injury. vWf binds to circulating clotting factor VIII and protects it from being broken down in the blood. People who have vWd take longer to stop bleeding than normal. Some symptoms of vWd are easy bruising, frequent or excessive nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, or heavy and prolonged bleeding after surgery, dental work, injury, or childbirth.