Potential complications of polycythemia vera include:
- Blood Clots (Thrombosis): Increased risk of clotting due to higher blood viscosity, which can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and deep vein thrombosis.
- Bleeding: Paradoxically, patients can also experience an increased risk of bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Myelofibrosis: A condition where the bone marrow becomes scarred, leading to severe anemia and other blood cell abnormalities.
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): In a small percentage of cases, PV can transform into AML, a type of blood cancer.
- Gout: Increased breakdown of red blood cells can lead to elevated uric acid levels, causing gout.
- Pulmonary Hypertension: High blood pressure in the lungs’ arteries, leading to shortness of breath and heart problems.