Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) not only affects our joints, its chronic inflammation may also increase the risk of heart disease.
Many people with rheumatoid arthritis don’t realize that this disease, which seems to only affect the joints, actually affects the health of the heart.
So, how does rheumatoid arthritis increase your risk of heart disease? And if you have RA, what steps should you take to lower your risk of heart disease?
This article will help you fully understand the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on your heart and how to protect your heart through lifestyle changes.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Heart Health: Why the Connection?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation throughout the body.
This long-term inflammation not only damages the joints, but also harms the blood vessels, ultimately increasing the risk of heart disease.
Inflammation damages blood vessel walls and can lead to atherosclerosis — the buildup of plaque inside arteries that restricts blood flow and, in severe cases, can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients have proteins called cytokines in their bodies that are not only involved in joint damage, but also in blood vessel damage.
These cytokines are key players driving the link between RA and heart disease.
Common risk factors affecting heart health in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
In addition to inflammation, there are some common risk factors between rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.
These factors may invisibly increase a patient’s risk of heart disease.
1. Hypertension
RA patients usually have higher blood pressure, which is related to several factors.
First, many RA medications, especially steroids, can cause your blood pressure to rise.
Secondly, long-term lack of exercise and weakened arterial elasticity are also factors that contribute to high blood pressure.
Studies have shown that inflammation levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients may be 10 times higher than in healthy people, and inflammation is also closely related to increased blood pressure.
2. Obesity
Obesity is a common risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis.
The joint pain caused by RA makes it difficult for many patients to exercise, which can lead to weight gain.
At the same time, obesity itself triggers an inflammatory response in the body and increases the risk of heart disease.
What’s worse, obesity is closely related to metabolic syndrome , which includes problems such as high blood sugar, high blood lipids, and high blood pressure, all of which further increase the risk of heart disease.
Studies have found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are twice as likely to develop metabolic syndrome as healthy people.
3. Lipid paradox
Rheumatoid arthritis also affects blood lipid levels, which are manifested as lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the “bad” cholesterol), higher triglycerides, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL, the “good” cholesterol).
Although low LDL is good for heart health, if HDL is too low and triglycerides are too high, such blood lipid conditions will increase the risk of heart disease.
4. Smoking
Smoking is an important cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking not only aggravates the symptoms of RA, but also may make the condition of RA patients more serious.
More importantly, smoking itself is a major risk factor for heart disease. Smoking aggravates arteriosclerosis and increases the risk of heart disease.
Studies have shown that the risk of smoking in RA patients is 50% that of non-smokers.
How can you reduce your risk of heart disease?
Although rheumatoid arthritis increases your risk of heart disease, you can reduce your risk with aggressive treatment and lifestyle changes.
1. Take medication on time to control RA inflammation.
One of the treatment goals of rheumatoid arthritis is to reduce inflammation in the body.
Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as direct-acting anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which help control the inflammatory response to RA.
Research shows that using these drugs not only relieves the symptoms of RA but also significantly reduces the risk of heart disease.
2. Healthy diet
The American Heart Association recommends that a healthy diet is essential to preventing heart disease.
People with rheumatoid arthritis should increase their intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and reduce high-fat and high-sugar foods.
Additionally, avoiding excessive salt and processed foods is key to maintaining a healthy heart.
3. Get at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week
Exercise is essential for people with RA because it helps relieve joint pain, improve joint flexibility, reduce weight, and promote heart health.
It is recommended that RA patients perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
4. Maintain a healthy weight
Maintaining a healthy weight not only helps manage RA symptoms, but also reduces the risk of heart disease.
Controlling your weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise is especially important for people with RA.
5. Quitting smoking
Quitting smoking is a key measure to reduce the risk of heart disease.
People with RA should especially avoid smoking, as smoking can make RA worse and greatly increase the risk of heart disease.
If you are still smoking, it is recommended that you quit smoking as soon as possible and seek medical help.
6. Manage RA and other health problems
RA patients should also regularly check for other health problems that may increase the risk of heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
By controlling these issues, people with RA can further reduce their risk of heart disease.
Conclusion
Rheumatoid arthritis may increase your risk of heart disease, but that doesn’t mean it’s doomed.
Through appropriate medication, a healthy diet, and improved lifestyle, RA patients can effectively reduce their risk of heart disease.
Remember, you can better protect your heart health by communicating with your doctor regularly, maintaining a positive attitude towards life, and controlling your inflammation levels.
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