Rheumatoid arthritis linked to heart disease

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Not only do those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a higher risk of heart disease, but they also have more 'silent' heart attacks.
It is already known that people who have rheumatoid arthritis also have an increased risk of earlier death, mainly from heart disease. A new study from the Mayo Clinic now reveals the extent of the problem.

They looked at a group of over 600 patients with RA, comparing them to a group who did not have this condition. All were followed up for around 26 years and this showed that those with RA were more likely to have 'silent' heart attacks - detectable only by electrocardiogram - or to have cardiac arrest. What is more, the heart disease seemed to precede diagnosis of RA. The researchers wonder if the inflammation linked to RA also affects the heart. It may be that RA and heart disease have some common cause that is independent of traditional risk factors. The study suggests that those with RA need to pay especial attention to any symptoms of heart disease and to be aware of their increased risk.

Source
Arthritis & Rheumatism February 2005