Rheumatoid Arthritis and Your Heart: Johns Hopkins Wellness Alerts Provides Heart-Intelligent Suggestions

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 18, 2008

In a recent problem of The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin, Johns Hopkins specialists reported on the newest analysis concerning the link between rheumatoid arthritis and heart well being.

With rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation that damages joints also takes a toll on the heart. Johns Hopkins specialists offer bottom line guidance on how to adopt a heart-healthy way of life to combat the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its accompanying inflammation.

Being HEART-Smart WITH RA

People with rheumatoid arthritis understandably focus on caring for their joints. But their most significant wellness risk entails their heart.

Compared to the general population, rheumatoid arthritis patients have a considerably increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and a shorter life expectancy.

RA AND YOUR HEART: THE RISKS

Here are some of the findings from recent studies about the link between rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease:

Heart attacks are twice as widespread amongst females with rheumatoid arthritis as amongst those without having the illness.
Atherosclerosis (“hardening of the arteries”) starts early and progresses much more rapidly in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Carotid artery blockages (a risk factor for stroke) are three times more widespread in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis than in folks with out the illness (44% vs. 15%).
Cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, occur about 10 years earlier in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Mortality is greater among rheumatoid arthritis patients right after a initial heart attack.
Blood vessel harm is often already apparent at the time of rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.
Heart attacks in rheumatoid arthritis patients are a lot more likely to be silent or to happen without having the typical symptoms, and they much more frequently result in sudden cardiac death.
Congestive heart failure (weakening of the heart’s pumping capacity) is more typical amongst individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers have identified many links between rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Inflammation is believed to be the most crucial of these.

THE ROLE OF INFLAMMATION IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Cardiologists now recognize that inflammation plays a crucial role in the onset of atherosclerosis. They believe that an injury to the inner lining of the arteries (the endothelium) triggers an immune response, sending immune method cells rushing to repair the damage.

THE EFFECTS OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION ON YOUR ARTERIES

But in chronic inflammatory states such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune response doesn’t shut off following the injury heals. The accumulating immune program cells attract deposits of cholesterol, blood platelets, cellular debris, and calcium, which clump together to form plaque.

As plaque deposits grow, they restrict blood flow by way of the artery. If the plaque ruptures, clots can break away and travel to the heart or brain, where they might cause a heart attack or a stroke.

BOTTOM LINE Advice: WHAT CAN YOU DO TO Stay HEART-Smart EVEN IF YOU HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

The relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and the heart is complex, and rheumatologists still have a great deal to understand about how to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease amongst individuals who have rheumatoid arthritis.

For now, it’s crucial to do every thing possible to reduce the traditional risk elements for heart disease and stroke:

smoking, obesity, a sedentary way of life, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Getting standard exercise and losing additional pounds (even a five-10% weight reduction is helpful) will support your joints as properly as your heart. Monitor your blood pressure and have your cholesterol levels checked often.

Also, ask your physician about the possibility of taking a low-dose aspirin every day to minimize your risk of cardiovascular disease.

In addition, the cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins–atorvastatin (Lipitor) and other people–not only assist the heart, but also have modest advantageous effects on rheumatoid arthritis-related inflammation. If your doctor hasn’t already suggested a statin drug for your heart wellness, you may possibly ask about it.

This info is exceprted from The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin:

Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin

Johns Hopkins Wellness Alerts publishes free e-mail newsletters on arthritis at:

Johns Hopkins Arthritis Well being Alerts

And on heart wellness at:

Johns Hopkins Heart Well being Alerts

For the most recent analysis on Heart Well being and Heart Attack Prevention, see the new 2008 Johns Hopkins White Paper: Heart Attack Prevention at: Johns Hopkins White Paper Heart Attack Prevention

To get a copy of the totally free unique report “Johns Hopkins 7 Keys to Minimize Cholesterol,” please pay a visit to:

Johns Hopkins 7 Keys to Lessen Cholesterol

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