### How Lupus Increases Cardiovascular Disease Risk and How to Mitigate It Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. This can cause inflammation not only on the skin but also in organs like the kidneys and lungs. Over time, lupus increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects the heart and blood vessels. CVD is a leading cause of death for people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common type of lupus. The inflammation from lupus can damage the inner lining of blood vessels, leading to early onset of CVD. Young women with lupus are particularly at risk, being 50 times more likely to have a heart attack than their peers without lupus. Steroids used to treat lupus can also harm heart health by causing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. These conditions further increase the risk of heart disease. More than half of SLE patients will develop cardiovascular conditions related to their lupus. These include: - **Atherosclerosis**: Cholesterol buildup in arteries, restricting blood flow. - **Inflammation of the heart**: Conditions like pericarditis, endocarditis, and myocarditis. - **Vasculitis**: Inflammation in blood vessels, affecting blood flow to organs. - **Hypertension**: High blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and heart attack. - **Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS)**: Clots in blood vessels, leading to heart attacks and strokes. - **Skin blood vessel issues**: Conditions like Raynaud’s phenomenon and livedo reticularis. To manage these risks, it's important to monitor your health closely. Symptoms of heart inflammation include chest pain and shortness of breath. Vasculitis symptoms include fever, weight loss, and rash. Changes in skin color can indicate blood vessel problems. A team of doctors from various specialties can help manage your condition. Your primary care doctor can address lupus-related heart concerns and may refer you to a cardiologist. Cardiologists can perform tests to check heart health and adjust medications to protect your heart. Treatments vary based on the specific condition. For atherosclerosis, you might need statins to control cholesterol. For pericarditis, steroids or NSAIDs may be prescribed. Myocarditis requires close monitoring and high-dose steroids, while endocarditis may need antibiotics and possibly surgery. Despite the challenges of lupus, you can take steps to protect your cardiovascular health. Regular check-ups, a healthy diet, exercise, and medication management are key. ### Summary - Lupus increases the risk of cardiovascular disease through inflammation and steroid side effects. - Common cardiovascular conditions in lupus patients include atherosclerosis, heart inflammation, vasculitis, hypertension, APS, and skin blood vessel issues. - Monitoring symptoms and working with a healthcare team can help manage these risks. - Treatments vary but may include medications like statins, steroids, NSAIDs, and antibiotics.