Heart Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis | Arthritis Information

According to the American College of Rheumatology, rheumatoid arthritis almost doubles the risk of having a heart attack within the first 10 years of getting an RA diagnosis. There is good news, too. A heart-healthy lifestyle and certain medications may help protect the heart.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious type of arthritis caused by the body's immune response. Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness can be severe with RA.

With rheumatoid arthritis, some of your body's cells recognize normal proteins as foreign intruders. Whether this is the cause of RA remains unclear.

RA is associated with abnormal activation of immune cells called lymphocytes. This leads to the release of chemicals called cytokines. Cytokines are messengers that trigger destruction of cells.

The ongoing battle between the body's chemicals occurs mainly in the joints. But the inflammation can spill over to other areas of the body.

The main treatment goal of rheumatoid arthritis is to control inflammation. Your doctor will do this by using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs), and other drugs such as corticosteroids.

In addition to medications, joint protection is important in RA. Treatment may include regular exercises, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and surgery.

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis, an inflammatory immune disorder, is also referred to as hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis happens when tiny plaques form inside the arteries.

Over time, the plaques build up in the arteries that go to the heart. When the plaques break off or when blood clots form on the plaques, they block the blood flow through the artery. This is called coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary artery disease increases the chance of heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.

Why is the chance of heart attack higher in those with RA?

Researchers are not sure of the exact reasons why those with RA have a greater risk of heart attack. They do know that like rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis is thought to be an inflammatory immune disorder. Inflammation is linked with heart disease and the risk of heart attack.

Some researchers think the inflammation with RA may cause higher levels of inflammation in the body. This inflammation triggers plaque in the arteries to form blood clots. Markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein are associated with an increased chance of atherosclerosis.

In addition, some treatments used for rheumatoid arthritis may increase the risk of heart disease. These treatments include:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs
Prednisone and other steroid drugs
Celebrex, a Cox-2 inhibitor

Are there preventive steps that can reduce the chance of heart attack with RA?

Yes, there are steps to prevent heart attack with RA. No matter how long you've had RA, living a heart-healthy lifestyle may decrease the chances of heart attack.

In one study reported by the Arthritis Foundation, researchers found that even with the increased risk of heart disease with RA, a heart-healthy lifestyle can lower this risk. This gives some positive control over your heart's health and overall well-being.

A heart-healthy lifestyle may include:

Eating a heart-healthy diet that's filled with fruits, vegetables, low-fat protein such as poultry, fish, legumes, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy, and whole grains.
Reading package labels and avoiding foods high in sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.
Stopping cigarette smoking.
Getting plenty of physical activity and exercise.
Getting regular checkups. Talking to your doctor about your lifestyle habits, including diet, and exercise.
Getting regular heart disease screening tests for high blood pressure, blood sugars, and high cholesterol. Talk to your doctor about your health history and your family history of heart disease.
Staying at a normal weight. Obesity is a key risk factor for heart disease.
Having an electrocardiogram. Talk to your doctor about tests to check for heart disease. If you have symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, your doctor may do an exercise stress test.

What about RA medications and the chances of heart attack?

Talk with your doctor about your medications. Ask if there are RA medications that may need to be changed. Ask if the dosages you're taking can keep your heart healthy.

Findings in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy show that medications such as methotrexate, other DMARDs, and biologics -- all used to control inflammation of RA -- may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

In addition, some doctors prescribe statins to lower the risk of heart disease.

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/heart-disease-rheumatoid-arthritis?page=2

Lynn492011-02-28 18:12:55Good article Lynn...thanks for posting. My CRP levels are always extremely high, even on my RA meds, and it scares me that I'm at a higher risk for atherosclerosis, even though heart disease does not run on either side of my family. Upon my RD's suggestion, I've made an appointment with a Cardiologist to discuss this, along with my blood pressure med, and the fact that I always seem to be mildly tachycardic. Always so much to worry about!

77ronbn562011-03-09 21:02:53Thank you SnowOwl...I couldn't have said it better. [QUOTE=SnowOwl]Ok, Ron, let's try this one more time. Lynn posts articles she finds about rheumatoid arthritis, research done on the disease and research done on what works to counter its effects. She doesn't claim to be a medical practitioner, she's just a lovely person trying to help people who have rheumatoid arthritis learn more about what ails them, and how to help themselves. She doesn't post her opinions, she posts what people with extensive educations and experience in dealing with arthritis have reached in consensus with other experts with education and experience.

Your posts are rejected mainly because you behave like a troll. Not a spammer, a troll. You're crude, cruel, juvenile, snotty, you act superior to other people and expect them to believe your every word as gospel, and if they don't you call them vile names and whine they don't deserve you. And yet, you're back here. Your thoughts on potential causes and therapies for disease are rejected because you come across as the worst sort of ignorant, prejudiced jerk, your beliefs and alleged experiences in health are rejected because you lack credibility due to your personality and lack of ability to convey what you believe. You attack people who need help. You are vicious to people who need compassion. You attempt to drive people who are hurting to hurt even more badly. That's bad medicine. You're a bad, snotty, snarky, jerk. Deal with it. You don't help anyone. You don't want to help anyone. You just want to hurt other people so you can feel superior to them. You're a troll.

[/QUOTE]

Good article Lynn.

LEV

00ronbn562011-03-09 21:00:2488ronbn562011-03-09 20:59:39Thanks Lynn. I've always said that if you've been diagnosed with RA then you should be referred to a cardiologist to have baseline studies done. There are several of us on the forum who have cardiac issues directly related to RA. LindyRonald,

Everyones a loser but you. You are so intelligent. Everyones wrong and you are right. You have the secrets to long life and the cure for all the deadly diseases. Afterall, you've lived to the ripe old age of 65. Yeah, we're the losers here. Keep telling yourself that. And Ronald, I don't think you will find anyone here that is offended by someone like you calling them a loser. Let me ask you a question Ronald, what good is a long life if you are so miserable and lonely as you? If I were you, I'd kill myself just to make the world a better place. Seriously.

LEV

[ssronbn562011-03-09 21:09:58Ronald,

You are a joke. But you aren't a funny joke. You are just a very sad joke. That's a shame, but the shames on you.

LEV

ssronbn562011-03-09 21:09:18Ronald,

This isn't a social club. It's a forum for rheumatoid arthrtis sufferers and rheumatoid arthritis information. We have the disease and we use this forum for support and information. You wouldn't know anything about support. You are all about tearing down. It's a shame but the shame is on you. It's that simple. You are angry with us because we do support and appreciate each other and what we go through. You have created your own loneliness and misery. All you can do is try to tear others down hoping to bring them down to your own miserable and lonely state. I don't feel sorry for you or pity you. I think that you brought this misery and loneliness to your self and you deserve it.

Oh, I don't always wear my 9mm. Sometimes I wear my .357. Depends on how I feel and my outfit. You know, if I've got the country look, I'll probably go with the .357. Oh, and Mom, she has a cute little .32 and she certainly knows how to use it.

I'm not scared and I'm not scared to use my weapons. I don't worry about the boogie man. If the boogie man comes into my house, the world will be a safer and better place and I will eat my donut waiting for the Sheriff and the coroner.

And Ronald, I'm not gonna show anyone anything. If I have information, I will post it. If someone is not receptive to it, I'm not going to become OCD about it and stalk them because they aren't going to bow to me and my information, like some one we all know. Wonder who that is? Sound like anyone you know Ronald? Like I said, I don't feel sorry for you or pity you, you desrve the loneliness and misery that you have brought upon yourself.

LEV

77ronbn562011-03-09 21:07:03

Ronald,

Seriously, why don't you at least read up on rheumatoid arthritis so that you sound like you have some sanity. We have the disease. No one said that arthritis will give us heart disease but we all know that rheumatoid arthritis can attack almost any part(s) of our body including the heart and the arteries. Once again, why don't you go to the news agencies with all of your knowledge? Why waste your time here with people that not just don't like you, but feel that you are an idiot. Why not take your message to the larger audience? Has it no meaningful message? Certainly once the news agencies listened to your logic, they would all be scambling to get you on their news programs. "The man with the cure for diseases and death." Truth or Insanity, You Be tThe Judge." Wow. What a story.

LEV

88ronbn562011-03-09 21:08:36Hey Ronald,

Yeah, we are all losers. But what is so surprising is that some genius like you wants so bad to be a part of us. You can't, too bad, so sad. Yeah, we are all very hurt when a man of your great stature and intelligence calls us losers. But, keep up your rhetoric. I'm sure you are going to convince us that you are the great savior and that we don't need medicines or Doctors, just follow you, the peed piper. Like I said, you are a joke, but not a funny joke. And that's a shame, but the shame is on you and you deserve it. And once again Ronald, you will never be a part of this loser family. It's not going to happen. Too bad, so sad.

LEV

66ronbn562011-03-09 21:06:19Hey Ronald,

I don't flatter myself. Why are you so concerned with my health or any other member's health? Afterall, we are all losers. Why are we losers? Because we are so stupid that we won't give up our medicines and our Doctors and all the science and research and follow you, the man with all the cures and the man smarter than science. You are too full of yourself. I know it bothers you to not find followers. We know better than to follow a man that not only claims to have the light, but a man that believes that he is the light. Any idea how stupid you sound calling doctors stupid? You don't, do you? You are so full of your self. But this is a family Ronald. I don't think any one here has enough respect for you to be offended by something derogatory that you say about them. That's a shame but that shame is on you and you deserve it. You've earned it.

LEV

ssronbn562011-03-09 21:13:23rrronbn562011-03-09 21:13:59Ronald,

Why are you clogging up our forum. Leave us alone. You are not a messenger sent fro God. You are an OCD idiot that doesn't know what you are talking about. My Mother is over 90 years old. You think that because you have lived to 65 you have the right to tell everyone how to live to lengthen their life and health. Maybe Mom should come on here and tell what brand spicey pork rinds she eats. And the typeds of donuts and warm delights and pink beef and pork chops and dark chovolate dove bars. She is 35 years older than you and couldn't care less about her acid. She takes one low dose BP tablet, fosomax and ocular vitamins. And speaking of acid, you sound like a man that has done too much acid. Your halucinations and long drawn out unscientific rants are those of a man under the influence. You go on and on and when you find that people are too smart to follow your rantings, you then try to demean those people. Calling women c**ts and whores and sluts and bitches and yet you can't understand why we don't like you or believe anything you have to say. In all my life I have never heard a man call a woman a "c**t" until you came to our forum. what raised you? seriously, what the hell raised you? Because someone doesn't follow your path, you call them "c**ts"? You are an OCD virus and a filthy puke of a man. I don't feel sorry for you or pity you. You pitiful life is just what you deserve. Even those at Home Depot coudn't/can'tstand you. Doesn't suprise me.

LEV