Exercise

There are no specific exercise guidelines for people with APS as the level of exercise you are capable of will depend on how severely affected you are, if you suffer from joint pain or are recovering from a thrombotic event.

Many people with APS lead extremely active lives and continue playing sports, running, cycling, climbing and going to the gym, while others are much more restricted.

It will often take time to recover from a major event such as a stroke or heart attack and arthralgia can be very painful; however, it is still recommended that you try to engage in moderate to gentle regular exercise such as walking, tai chi, swimming or yoga. Tai chi is particularly helpful in overcoming balance problems and does not put any undue pressure on your joints.

If you are taking warfarin, you will have to be careful to try and prevent injuries that could make you bleed or bruise badly. Some contact sports may need to be avoided. As physical activity can also affect your INR, try to make ensure you take the same amount of exercise each day.

Exercise can help your body heal and also help you mentally, so it really is important to try to find something you enjoy doing which can easily be built into your lifestyle.

Life insurance

While travel insurance may cover individuals with APS, obtaining life insurance with an APS diagnosis can prove challenging.

Providers may automatically reject an application for a pre-existing condition such as APS, and other policies may be unaffordable…

Women's health

Women who are taking antithrombotics such as aspirin, warfarin or especially DOACs may experience problems with increased bleeding.

Heavy blood loss can be extremely inconvenient and uncomfortable, and it can also cause iron deficiency anaemia…

Driving

Many APS patients are concerned about their safety to drive and whether they need to declare their condition to the DVLA.

Despite the DVLA listing a vast number of health conditions that you have to declare, antiphospholipid syndrome is not included…

Medication

The type of medication you can take to treat other conditions will depend on the type of treatment you are prescribed for APS.

You must let your GP/pharmacist know if you buy any over-the-counter medicines to check for contraindications…

Diet

Anyone with APS is advised to eat a healthy balanced diet of good carbohydrates, protein, low-fat dairy products and fruit and vegetables.

Maintaining a healthy weight is important both in terms of reducing cardiovascular risks and easing pressure on your bones and joints…

Stopping smoking

Smoking is even more dangerous if you have APS because it causes cardiovascular disease.

Smoking accelerates the hardening and narrowing of your arteries, which means you are two to four times more likely to develop a blood clot…

Coping with fatigue

Most patients with APS will find they suffer from fatigue at some point. Fortunately, the fatigue does not tend to be constant and many people find they have good and bad days.

Fatigue is characterised by a lack of energy and motivation…

Managing memory problems

Many people with APS will have some degree of memory loss and difficulty in thinking clearly; the sensation has been described as ‘brain fog’.

Memory loss can range from mild, such as difficulty finding words and absent-minded forgetfulness, to severe…

Dealing with stress

Living with APS can be mentally and physically challenging, with potential psychological consequences.

The condition’s unpredictable nature and serious complications can leave you feeling shocked, angry, depressed, and frustrated…

Air travel

Air travel is closely associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), particularly long-haul flights.

The number of people who get DVT from air travel is difficult to determine, simply because the condition can be symptomless and may not occur for some time after travel…

Patient stories

We are thankful to all the APS patients who have bravely shared their stories with us, to help raise awareness and to show others that they are not alone.

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Diagnosis and treatment

APS is usually diagnosed from a combination of a positive blood test and symptoms. If you are under 50 and have suffered a thrombosis, or have had more than one pregnancy loss, you should discuss with your doctor whether you need blood tests.

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Related conditions

Some people with APS will also have other autoimmune conditions, as may their family members. APS has been linked with many other autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and Sjögren’s syndrome.

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Newly diagnosed

Receiving a new diagnosis of APS can be frightening, and no doubt you will want to know exactly what APS is. Following this, you will likely have a great many more questions to ask about the condition and how it can affect you. We are here to help!

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About us

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Our mission is to achieve earlier diagnosis and offer support to anyone affected by antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) through awareness, education and research.

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