Rheumatoid arthritis is also a cardiovascular condition

Well, that’s not quite right, but what is right is that rheumatoid arthritis, that form of arthritis that is becoming more common in young women for reasons no one has figured out, has a strong negative effect on the cardiovascular system, probably in large part because of the chronic inflammation that is part and parcel of this condition.

Thus, according to three recent studies presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco,

1. A person’s risk of suffering a heart attack is double the average risk in the first 10 years after they are diagnosed with RA


2. People with RA have a significantly elevated risk of heart failure (that’s where the heart’s muscular action gradually weakens and fades), and most depressingly, perhaps


3. A person who has RA has the same risk of suffering a cardiovascular problem (heart attack, stroke, sudden cardiac death) as does a person with diabetes (diabetes is commonly listed as a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes)

Bottom line: if you have RA, it’s not fair, but sadly you have to work extra hard to reduce your other heart attack risk factors.