
Diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis - conditions put YOU at greater risk of THIS disease
Cardiovascular disease describes a set of conditions which affect the heart or blood vessels - which includes life-threatening problems such as heart attacks and stroke.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints and mainly affects the hands feet and wrists.
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) - has set out to help people with rheumatoid arthritis to understand why they are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease - and the impact the condition can have on the heart.
Dr Holly John, consultant rheumatologist, said: “The increased risk of CVD for RA sufferers has the same level of severity as those who suffer with type 2 diabetes.
“It’s astonishing how many people with RA don't know that their condition could be detrimental to their heart.”
The NRAS has launched a programme Love Your Heart, developed in partnership with Dr Holly John.
The organisation is making the programme widely available to everyone with this serious autoimmune condition so that they have the opportunity to lower their CVD risk.
Dr John said: “Once aware, it’s very easy to manage risk factors from home with a healthier lifestyle, so Love Your Heart will be able to significantly raise awareness of this and help to address this major co-morbidity which can shorten the lives of those with RA.”
It’s astonishing how many people with rheumatoid arthritis don't know that their condition could be detrimental to their heart
While experts said it is not clear exactly why people with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk,
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