Does Psoriasis Increase Your Risk of Other Health Problems?

You may have heard people use the phrase “the heartbreak of psoriasis”. This may be very appropriate description if results of a new study are confirmed. According to research published in the Archives of Dermatology, having psoriasis may be a risk factor not only for heart disease, but also cerebrovascular disease and hardening of the arteries in the legs and feet. This adds to previous studies which have shown an increased risk of heart disease in those having psoriasis, particularly in younger people with severe cases. This new study extends the risk of disease to the arteries involving the brain and legs. According to the study, people having psoriasis had almost double the risk of developing some type of vascular disease.

Why Are Psoriasis and Heart Disease Associated?

Although it’s not clear why people having psoriasis are at higher risk of arterial disease involving the heart, brain, and extremities, the underlying cause is thought to be inflammation. People diagnosed with psoriasis have elevations in some of the same inflammatory markers that people with heart disease have, such as c-reactive protein. The type of damage to the arteries that leads to a heart attack or stroke is also believed to be caused by an inflammatory process that leads to plaque being deposited along the walls of blood vessels.

Can the Risk Be Reduced?

Does treating psoriasis reduce the risk of vascular disease? There have been no studies done to confirm this, but the researchers believe that treatment may lower the risk of future heart and blood vessel problems. They emphasized the importance of treatment for people having psoriasis, particularly those with severe symptoms who appear to be at the highest risk for heart and blood vessel disease. There are both creams and oral medications that can help to reduce inflammation associated with psoriasis. In some cases, light therapy may be used for psoriasis treatment.

What’s the Bottom Line?

These studies show the importance of regular screening for heart and vascular disease in people having psoriasis. An even more compelling reason is that several studies have shown that people with psoriasis have an overall increased risk of dying prematurely. It’s thought that other diseases such as certain types of cancer may be higher in psoriasis sufferers. Regular health checks are needed for those with psoriasis to control the inflammation and regular screening should be done for heart and vascular disease. This is one disease that shouldn’t be ignored.