Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a type of vasculitis — chronic inflammation in your blood vessels. It was formerly called Wegener’s granulomatosis, but the new name describes it more precisely. GPA involves:

Inflammation in many different types of blood vessels throughout your body (polyangiitis)
Inflammatory masses called granulomas forming in your blood vessels and organs (granulomatosis)

Different types of vasculitis affect different blood vessels. GPA affects the many smaller blood vessels throughout your body. This means it can cause issues throughout your body, but especially in organs that rely on many small blood vessels. GPA tends to affect your respiratory system and kidneys the most.

Inflammation in your blood vessels can cause them to swell, break and bleed. It can also cause scarring that restricts the blood flow through your vessels, depriving your tissues of oxygen and nutrients. GPA can cause bleeding and organ damage in your renal and pulmonary systems (pulmonary-renal syndrome).

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

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