The story of China
In December 2003 I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Takayasus Arteritis. Takayasu’s arteritis (tah-kah-YAH-sooz ahr-tuh-RIE-tis) is a rare type of vasculitis, a group of disorders that cause blood vessel inflammation. In Takayasu’s arteritis, the inflammation damages the aorta — the large artery that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body — and the aorta’s main branches. The disease can lead to blockages or narrowed arteries, called stenoses, or abnormally dilated arteries, called aneurysms. Takayasu’s arteritis can also lead to arm or chest pain, high blood pressure, and eventually to heart failure or stroke. Takayasu’s arteritis mainly affects young Asian girls and women under 40. The exact cause of the disease is not known.
I am here to spread awareness and connect with others who have been on this “rare disease journey”