Last updated on 16th Oct 2021 - By Dwayne Michaels

How Abnormal MPV affects heart?

Artificial heart valves, Diabetes mellitus, Chronic kidney disease are some of the conditions associated with abnormal MPV.

But before we proceed further let us know what actually MPV is.

Mean platelet volume or MPV is a machine calculated measurement of the average size of platelets found in blood. Platelets are small blood cells that are essential for blood clotting, the process that helps you stop bleeding after an injury.

An MPV blood test measures the average size of your platelets. The test can help diagnose bleeding disorders and diseases of the bone marrow.

MPV may be higher when there is destruction of platelets. This may be seen in immune thrombocytopenic purpura and BernardSoulier syndrome. It may also be related to pre-eclampsia and recovery from transient hypoplasia.

A high MPV is usually a sign that there are more young platelets circulating in your bloodstream. After blood loss due to trauma or a procedure such as major surgery, your body consumes platelets to repair lacerations and stop the blood loss.

In response, your bone marrow produces more megakaryocytes, which become young, large platelets, and your MPV rises.

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A low MPV generally suggests that most of your platelets are older and that your bone marrow has slowed down production of platelets. Abnormally low MPV values may correlate with thrombocytopenia when it is due to impaired production of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, such as in aplastic anemia.

A low MPV may indicate inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A high MPV is also a bad prognostic marker in patients with sepsis or septic shock.

In addition, low MPV may correlate with abnormally small platelet size, sometimes a symptom of a spectrum referred to as WiskottAldrich syndrome, caused by a genetic mutation of the WAS gene.

Platelets come in different shapes and sizes. Newly produced platelets are usually larger while older platelets are smaller. Also, when platelets are activated, they change from a disc-shaped cell into a spherical-shaped cell.

Under certain conditions, platelets can be harmful, causing blood clots to form where they are not needed. Sometimes, clots will form inside blood vessels, restricting the flow of blood to tissues.

Parts of these clots can also break off and travel through the bloodstream, where they lodge in the lungs, heart, and brain, causing severe damage and even death.

Signs and symptoms that could lead to possible blood disorders include:

• Unexplained bruising
• Prolonged bleeding as a result of injury, minor cut, and nose bleeding
• Abnormal red spots or purplish spots on the skin

Testing your MPV is an easy process. Its typically done as part of your annual checkup with your physician.