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'''Polycythemia Vera''' (POL-e-si-THE-me-ah VE-ra), or PV, is a rare blood disease in which the body manufactures too many red [[blood]] cells. These extra red blood cells make the blood thicker than normal. The thickened blood flows more slowly through the small blood vessels and can form clots, which can cause heart attack and stroke.

'''Polycythemia Vera''' (POL-e-si-THE-me-ah VE-ra), or PV, is a rare blood disease in which the body manufactures too many red [[blood]] cells. These extra red blood cells make the blood thicker than normal. The thickened blood flows more slowly through the small blood vessels and can form clots, which can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow—the soft tissue inside bones. In addition to red blood cells, blood contains two other types of cells: white blood cells to help fight infection and platelets to help the blood clot. In individuals with PV, the bone marrow bone marrow produces too many red blood cells, but it also can make too many white blood cells and platelets.

Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow, which the soft tissue inside bones. In addition to red blood cells, blood contains two other types of cells: white blood cells to help fight infection and platelets to help the blood clot. In individuals with PV, the bone marrow bone marrow produces too many red blood cells, but it also can make too many white blood cells and platelets.

Red blood cells also are called RBCs or [[erythrocytes]] (eh-RITH-ro-sites). Normal red blood cells look like doughnuts without holes in the center and have an average lifespan of 120 days. Red blood cells contain [[hemoglobin]] (HEE-muh-glow-bin), an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color and carries oxygen to the body. Red blood cells also remove carbon dioxide, a waste product, from cells and carry it to the lungs to be exhaled.

Red blood cells also are called RBCs or [[erythrocytes]] (eh-RITH-ro-sites). Normal red blood cells look like doughnuts but with shallow indents rather than holes in the center and have an average lifespan of 120 days. Red blood cells contain [[hemoglobin]] (HEE-muh-glow-bin), an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color and carries oxygen to the body. Red blood cells also remove carbon dioxide, a waste product, from cells and carry it to the lungs to be exhaled.

PV is a rare, chronic disease that can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated. The cause of PV is not known. It develops slowly and may not produce symptoms for many years. Sometimes, symptoms can be vague and nonspecific. Many people find out they have PV from blood tests done for other reasons. It is more common in adult males 60 years or older. It is very rare in people younger than 20 years.

PV is a rare, chronic disease that can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated. The cause of PV is not known. It develops slowly and may not produce symptoms for many years. Sometimes, symptoms can be vague and nonspecific. Many people find out they have PV from blood tests done for other reasons. It is more common in adult males 60 years or older. It is very rare in people younger than 20 years.