Wonder what
might trigger your
next HAE attack?
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) triggers
can vary from person to person.
HAE triggers are unique—what affects you might be different from someone else with HAE.
Here are some of them:
Emotional stress
Minor trauma, surgery, or dental procedure
Infection
Hormonal influences, like menstruation or using a contraceptive containing estrogen
Repetitive activities such as mowing the lawn or using scissors
HAE attacks can strike without warning—even without an obvious trigger. Sometimes, everyday stress or life events are enough to set one off, such as:
Starting a new job
Having a child
Wedding
School exams
Vacation
It's important to stay in communication with your doctor and have an emergency plan in place in case you need help. You should also consider talking to your doctor about on‑demand and preventive treatments available.
What is hereditary angioedema (HAE)?
HAE is a rare, genetic disorder that causes sudden, painful swelling attacks anywhere in the body—often in the face, hands, feet, abdomen, genitals, and throat. These attacks happen because most people with HAE don’t have enough of a protein called C1 esterase inhibitor, or the protein doesn’t work properly. This triggers a chain reaction involving plasma kallikrein, which leads to excess bradykinin—a protein that causes blood vessels to leak fluid and create localized swelling.
Throat attacks are particularly dangerous as they can obstruct breathing, so it’s critical to have an emergency plan and seek immediate care for throat swelling.
