An alarming number of people have a condition known as sticky blood which causes clotting and often leads to stroke.
My stroke(s) were not caused by this however I personally have met several people including my partner in Strokes Suck UK,
Denise Burkill. Many people like Denise are totally unaware and seem perfectly healthy, that they have this syndrome until
they end of having a sudden stroke or some other illness.
Below are some useful facts taken from a helpful UK website www.Mims.co.uk

What is Hughes syndrome?

Often known as "sticky blood", this is a medical condition in which there is an increased risk of sludging or clotting of the blood. It commonly presents as thrombosis (for example as 'deep vein thrombosis' or DVT). Other features include headache and migraine, recurrent miscarriage in pregnancy, stroke, memory loss and 'atypical multiple sclerosis'.

The clotting tendency is a result of the presence in the blood of antibodies called antiphospholipid antibodies. First described in 1983 by Dr Graham Hughes, the widely used medical term for the syndrome is the 'Antiphospholipid syndrome' or APS.


What does The Hughes Syndrome Foundation do?

The two roles of our charity are to increase awareness of the condition and to help to fund medical research into what is now known to be a major and common medical condition.

Based in the referral clinic at St Thomas' Hospital, where patients with Hughes syndrome are seen, we provide an information service, fact sheets and books on Hughes syndrome both for patients and doctors.

Hughes syndrome affects many organs

To highlight the diversity of the syndrome, the following list contains some of the many features which may be seen in Hughes syndrome.

• Migraine or headache
• Thrombosis
• Economy class syndrome
• Memory loss
• Giddiness
• 'Multiple sclerosis-like' features
• Recurrent miscarriage
• Late fetal death
• Infertility
• Pulmonary embolism (clots)
• Stroke
• Double vision
• Sudden visual loss
• Low platelet counts and bruising

Is it common?

Yes, VERY. Possibly one of the major 'new' diseases. A rough "1 in 5" rule applies. Hughes syndrome has been implicated as the triggering factor in

• 1 in 5 cases of young strokes (under 45)
• 1 in 5 cases of DVTs
• 1 in 5 cases of recurrent miscarriages

All potentially preventable!

Further information

For further information please see:

http://www.hughes-syndrome.org

At Strokes Suck we try to keep abreast of all the new developments as they relate to stroke awareness, prevention, rehab
possibilities and possible cures. You can find more information on our website  and our three Facebook groups listed below.
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Bob Miller
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