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According to the results of a new study presented at the Annual Congress of the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR), if you have rheumatoid arthritis, your risk of experiencing a heart attack is increased by up to six fold. The risk is highest among women younger than 50 years old.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects about 1.3 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Although it is often recognized as an inflammatory condition that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints, it can also impact other parts of the body.
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis, for example, develop anemia, neck pain, dry eyes, dry mouth, and inflammation of the blood vessels, the lining of the lungs, or the sac that encloses the heart. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a known risk factor for hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke as much as ten years earlier than in people who do not have arthritis.
In previous studies, it has been shown that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated 
with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) could have a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. Investigators from one study, for example, reported that patients who took methotrexate (the most widely used DMARD) for one year had an 18 percent reduced risk of heart attack and an 11 decreased risk of stroke.
Dr. Jesper Lindhardsen, Department of Cardiology, Gentofte University Hospital, and lead author of the Danish study, noted that their study results highlighted the increased risk of heart attack among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and that it is similar to that among patients with diabetes. Diabetics, however, “are routinely considered for intensive cardiovascular risk management,” while those with rheumatoid arthritis are not.
Therefore, the new findings point out “the importance of implementing EULAR recommendations advocating early detection and management of cardiovascular risk factors,” along with making sure patients with rheumatoid arthritis are treated for their disease to reduce the significant risk of heart attack associated with it. This risk is especially significant among women younger than 50 who have rheumatoid arthritis.
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:59 am
[...] Heart attack may risk up to six fold in rheumatoid arthritis … [...]
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:59 am
[...] Heart attack might risk up to 6 overlay in rheumatoid arthritis … [...]
June 24th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Well their is a big problem of fats due to which heart problem starts and due to oily things we eat every day and like fast food these are the biggest problems so to stop these problem everyone have to use green tea and walk daily for one hour .thats my advice
June 24th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 9. It was originally diagnosed as "Juvinile Rheumatoid Arthritis". Does anyone know of any natural supplements that help? Ive tried everything, and I'm getting sick of all this crap my rheumatoligist is prescribing.
June 25th, 2010 at 1:05 am
True that diet and exercise has a lot to do with it. Amazing why so many people don't realize that.
June 28th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
[...] Heart attack might risk up to 6 overlay in rheumatoid arthritis … [...]
June 29th, 2010 at 2:29 am
I think that swimming could be a good solution to the problem , or at least a better way to try and prevent that from happening. Fat building up around the heart is a big problem, exercise and healthy eating are a good way to protect yourself from these conversations.