Lupus and Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome - Topic Overview
About 1 in 3 people with lupus produce an antibody that attacks certain blood-clotting factors, which can cause the blood to clot easily.1 A person who has this antibody and has had blood clots is said to have antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. This can lead to mild or severe blood-clotting complications, including:
- Stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or heart attack.
- Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
- Multi-infarct dementia.
- Gangrene of fingers or toes.
- Kidney disease.
- Preeclampsia, premature birth, and miscarriage or stillbirth, apparently caused by blood circulation problems in the placenta.
Antiphospholipid antibodies can be detected with a blood test. When diagnosed, the condition is usually treated with anticoagulants. Pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome require close monitoring.
How to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Preventing a deep vein thrombosis, also known as a DVT, is vital. A DVT is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the legs most commonly, but can also occur in the veins of the upper extremities. That's because the blood clot, which usually forms in a calf or thigh deep veins, can partially or completely block blood flow back to the heart and cause damage to the one-way valves in the veins. The clot can also break free and travel through your blood to major organs, such as your lungs -- which...
Read the How to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) article > >
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