Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients At Higher Risk For Unrecognized Heart Disease And Cardiac Sudden Death

Doctors and researchers at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn have proven studies that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at a much greater risk for unrecognized heart disease and cardiac sudden death.

* The risk of heart attack is already there at the time a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis is first made.

* Heart disease can remain silent in those with rheumatoid arthritis. Regular cardiac checkups are important, as is lowering traditional cardiac risk factors, such as taking care of blood pressure and cholesterol and quitting smoking.

* Heart disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients can manifest for the first time as a cardiac sudden death.

This may be because these two diseases have common origins, however the fact that the diseases are multifactoral, is the only known fact. Oftentimes, rheumatoid arthritis patients seek medical attention for unrelated symptoms, and upon ordering an electrocardiogram for a patient, revealed a past 'silent heart attack.' Perhaps patients with rheumatoid arthritis have such severe and constant joint pain, that prescribed medications are allowing them to not be as responsive to chest pains. "We suspect that the systemic inflammation that characterizes rheumatoid arthritis also promotes cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular death," says Sherine Gabriel, M.D. There are still ongoing studies and research to explain this phenomena and means to prevent increased risk.

For full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050204121639.htm