Cardiovascular complications of rheumatoid arthritis: assessment, prevention, and treatment.
Morbidity and mortality rates are higher in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) than in the general population. Ischemic heart disease and heart failure now represent one of the most common causes of death in RA. Indeed, RA appears to represent an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease, similar to diabetes mellitus. However, no clear guidelines with regard to cardiovascular disease diagnosis and prevention in RA have been developed. This review highlights recent investigations on the assessment, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular disease in RA.
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, 5520 MSRBI, Box 5680, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. makaplan@med.umich.edu <makaplan@med.umich.edu>
Mariana J
MJ
Kaplan
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000401:mortality*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000401:mortality*; D012307:Risk Factors