Erythremia Causes & Risks

Causes

The precise cause of primary polycythemia is unknown. There are no apparent genetic or environmental factors that can be attributed to causing primary polycythemia.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition. The following factors will increase your chances of developing primary polycythemia:

• Sex: male (twice as likely to be affected as women)
• Age: over the age of 40 years old; only very rarely are individuals under the age of 40 diagnosed with primary polycythemia.
• Race: Caucasians
• A history of:
  • Abnormal or increased production of platelets in the blood
  • Overall increase in the total number of red blood cells in the blood
  • Blood clotting or thickening of the blood in the veins and major arteries