Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is known
to cause heart attacks, strokes and
transient ischemic attacks (TIA), brief
stroke-like episodes.
A heart attack occurs when the supply of
blood and oxygen to an area of heart
muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a
coronary artery. Each year, over one
million people in the U.S. have a heart
attack and about one-half die.
Unfortunately, many heart attack victims
wait two hours or more after symptoms
begin before they seek medical help. This
delay can result in death or lasting heart
damage.
A stroke, or "brain attack," occurs when
blood circulation to the brain fails.
Brain cells can die from decreased blood
flow and the resulting lack of oxygen.
There are two broad categories of stroke:
those caused by a blockage of blood flow
and those caused by bleeding. While not
usually fatal, a blockage of a blood
vessel in the brain or neck, called an
ischemic stroke, is the most frequent
cause of stroke and is responsible for
about 80 percent of strokes.
A TIA is a transient stroke that lasts
only a few minutes. It occurs when the
blood supply to part of the brain is
briefly interrupted.
It is recommended anyone under the age of
50 who has had a heart attack, stroke or
TIA should be tested for APS.
The APS Foundation of America is the only
United States health agency dedicated
specifically to bringing national
awareness to APS. We are a volunteer-run,
community-based, non-profit organization
dedicated to spreading awareness and
support to those with the disease.
Knowing more about APS can make all the
difference. Get in the know and Get in the
Flow!
For more information Contact: Christina
"Tina" Pohlman at Phone: 608-782-2626
Website Address:
www.apsfa.org Email
Address:
apsfa@apsfa.
org
