People coping with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus already have a lot to deal with. Even so, paying attention to heart health may be especially important for this group. The August 2008 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter reports that rheumatoid arthritis doubles a person's risk of heart attack or cardiac arrest. Heart disease risk is even higher with lupus, and a new study suggests that gout, another common kind of arthritis, is also linked to cardiovascular disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and related autoimmune disorders are caused by a misguided immune system. Certain white blood cells, which ordinarily protect the body from infection, attack its tissues instead. Although no one knows exactly how these conditions are connected to cardiovascular disease, it is possible they all spring from the same source inflammation.
Inflammation is an essential part of the body's defenses. In people with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, though, inflammation turns against the body and damages joints and other tissues. In heart disease, inflammation kicks off artery-clogging atherosclerosis, keeps it smoldering, and influences the formation of clots, the ultimate cause of heart attacks and many strokes.
Controlling rheumatoid arthritis or lupus with medications that calm inflammation may be a good start toward reducing the excess risk of heart disease. Some studies show that using medications like Remicade and Humira reduces the likelihood of having heart attacks. Statins and baby aspirin may also help.
For now, the Harvard Heart Letter suggests that the best way to control heart risk is by paying attention to diet, weight, exercise, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Harvard Health Publications
Harvard Medical School 10 Shattuck St., Ste. 612
Cambridge, MA 02115
United States
http://www.health.harvard.edu
hi lynne
absolutely right. humira does blunt the inflammation process in r/a and like the other biologics offers a seldom-recognized benefit: minimizing inflammation within the arteries. having travelled that road, i have experienced the "cardiologic" benefits of biologics after a bypass which are, of course, complemented by exercise and good nutrition (including codliver oil)
Thanks, Lynn. I've been diagnosed with an RA nodule in my heart. It's not large enough to do any damage other than cause some bundle branch block intermittently when it rubs. I had a heart cath last year and was more scared of cath than having my knee replaced so I'm really trying to take care of my cardiac health. Eating the right diet, taking vitamins and mineral for heart, less stress and most importantly using Humira. Lindy
Enbrel does not help but the others do?