Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)

Antiphospholipid Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes the blood to clot more easily than it should. This puts people with APS at high risk of having a stroke, heart attack, DVT or pulmonary embolism. In pregnancy, APS can be responsible for recurrent miscarriages and pre-eclampsia. This condition, also known as Hughes syndrome or ‘sticky blood’, is not well known and is extremely underdiagnosed even though diagnosis can be made using a simple blood test. Affecting more women than men, it is estimated that in the UK alone APS affects 1 in 100 people. The symptoms can include headaches, migraines, vision problems, fatigue, mobility difficulties and tingling in the arms and legs. The good news is that APS is highly treatable with Warfarin, or other anticoagulants.