Heart Disease & Arthritis – Know Your Risk

Did you know February is American Heart Month?  As such, this is a great time to consider the connection between arthritis and heart disease.

 If you have rheumatoid arthritis, pay close attention.  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been found to increase your risk of heart disease.  According to an article in US News, “the increase in heart disease risk among RA patients may be due to the systemic inflammation brought on by the disease”. 

A Mayo Clinic study, reported in US News, “found that while 85 percent of the RA patients between the ages of 50 and 59 had an intermediate or high risk for developing heart disease within 10 years of diagnosis, just 27 percent of comparable non-RA patients did.”  That should get your attention.

In addition, WebMD reports, if you are a woman with rheumatoid arthritis, then your risk of having a heart attack doubles.   Your risk triples if you have had arthritis for 10 years or more.   Did you get that?  Triple the risk!

So, if you fall into this category, what do you do?  Get to know what other risk factors you have.  You can find risk factor information at the American Heart Association, such as physical inactivity, smoking, high cholesterol, etc.  Take this information to your next doctor or rheumatology appointment.  Discuss it with your doctor.  Find out what steps you can take to decrease your risk and improve your heart health.

Want more information on Heart Disease?  Check out the American Heart Association.