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Antiphospholipid Syndrome Resources

Also called lupus anticoagulant, or anticardiolipin antibodies, phospholipid antibody syndrome, and Hughes syndrome.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome or APS is a syndrome in which your body recognizes phospholipids (part of a cell’s membrane) as foreign and produces antibodies against them – including against the cells that line your blood vessels. If you have APS, you may be at a higher risk for blood clots and complications in pregnancy. APS is generally an acquired condition. There are no known genetic or inheritied components associated with APS. It is an autoimmune condition.

If you have APS, you need to be aware of the symptoms of DVTs so you can seek medical attention.>

If you have a Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT (leg or arm clot), you will notice:

Pain or tenderness in your arm or leg – often described as a cramp or Charley horse – with one or more of the following:
- Swelling
- Red or purple skin color
- Warm to the touch
If a piece of a DVT breaks off and travels to the lung, it can cause a lung clot. We call this a pulmonary embolism or PE. A PE can be a life threatening medical emergency. You need to seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of a PE.

If you have a Pulmonary Embolism or PE (lung clot), you may experience:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain– especially when trying to breathe
- Rapid or racing heart beat
- Fainting or passing out
- Coughing up blood
You can find more information about Antiphospholipid Syndrome at these links below:

1. Antiphospholipid Antibodies: (2005): An article geared to patients that describes sign, symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment of APS. From the American Heart Association’s Circulation Journal

2. Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS): (2008) Written by a physician who has APS, this article discusses what APS is, who gets it, the problems it causes, and how it is treated.

3. Antiphospholipid Syndrome: (2014) An easy to understand article that discusses the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of APS from Medicine.net.

4. Answer to questions about Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome: (2013) Answers to common questions about APS, including questions about testing, treatment, and APS and pregnancy from the Lupus Foundation of America.

5. Antiphospholipid syndrome: (2011) Patient-oriented information about symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, tests, and diagnosis and treatment of APS from the Mayo Clinic.

6. What Is Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome?: (2012) Discusses causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of APS. From the National Institute’s of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.