What is Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)?
Welcome to the latest episode of the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast. This is part one of a 3-part series on hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare genetic condition that causes attacks of swelling. HAE can look like an allergic reaction, but it is not an allergy, and allergy medications do not help it.
Podcast hosts Payel Gupta, MD, a board-certified allergist, and Kortney, a patient advocate, are joined by Marc Riedl, MD, MS, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Director at the US HAEA Angioedema Center at UC San Diego. They discuss how HAE runs in families, what causes swelling, and how it differs from an allergy.
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Key Takeaways About Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)
HAE is rare and can look like other health problems. That is why it is often missed. Here is what we cover in this podcast episode.
- HAE is not an allergy. Allergy medicine, steroids, and epinephrine do not stop the swelling. If allergy medicine does not work, that can be a clue.
- HAE runs in families. It comes from a change in one gene. Each child of a parent with HAE has a 50-50 chance of having it. Some people are the first in their family to have it, so family testing matters.
- Too much of one chemical causes the swelling. People with HAE do not have enough of a protein that acts like brakes. Without the brakes, the body makes too much of a chemical called bradykinin. It makes tiny blood vessels leak fluid, and that fluid is the swelling.
- The swelling looks different. It usually does not itch or come with hives. It can last 2-5 days. The swelling can show up on the hands, face, feet, belly, or throat. Belly attacks can hurt a lot. Some people have even had surgery they did not need. Throat swelling is an emergency.
- Some things can set off an attack. Injuries, dental work, estrogen, and stress are common triggers. Some people get a red rash that does not itch, or a tingling feeling, before the swelling starts.
Timestamps for this Podcast on Hereditary Angioedema
02:17 — What is HAE
04:20 — Why HAE is not an allergy
06:28 — What happens in the body during an HAE attack
11:46 — Bradykinin’s role in the body
14:12 — When swelling happens
15:55 — How HAE is passed down in families
19:25 — When symptoms usually start
21:57 — What HAE swelling looks like
24:28 — Where swelling can happen
26:23 — Belly attacks
29:46 — Throat attacks
31:11 — Common HAE triggers
35:25 — Early warning signs before an attack
37:48 — Does HAE ever go away
39:09 — What to do if this sounds like you
