Causes of HAE

HAE is often hereditary, but not always

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is called "hereditary" because literature suggests that about 75% of cases are passed down through families. About 25% of people with HAE have no family history at all. These cases result from a genetic change that happens spontaneously.

HAE and your family

A person who has a parent with HAE has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition.

  • Since the gene responsible for HAE is a dominant gene, the person only needs one HAE gene from one parent to inherit the HAE condition.
  • If a person does have HAE, there is a 50% chance he or she will pass it on to the next generation.
  • If the person does not have HAE, he or she will not pass on HAE to his or her own children.

Punnett square depicting the chances of inheriting HAE based on whether parents have HAE or not.