Does treating psoriasis reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke?
Why could treating psoriasis reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke?
Psoriasis causes inflammation on your skin and inside your body. Long-lasting inflammation inside your body may affect your heart and blood vessels, putting you at greater risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke.
Findings from research studies suggest that this increased risk affects people who have moderate or severe psoriasis. Mild psoriasis doesn’t seem to increase the risk.
The findings from some of these studies also suggest that people who treat moderate or severe psoriasis have:
Fewer heart attacks
Fewer strokes
Fewer heart-related deaths
The research in this area is ongoing because not every study reached this conclusion.
Which psoriasis medications may have heart-health benefits?
The psoriasis medications that may reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases are prescribed to treat moderate or severe psoriasis. These medications include:
Ustekinumab (another type of biologic)
These are potent medications that have possible side effects. For this reason, a dermatologist screens each patient carefully before prescribing one of these medications. Even if you have an increased risk of heart or blood vessel disease, one of these medications may not be suitable for you.
What else can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke?
Until researchers know more about the role that psoriasis may play in increasing the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases, dermatologists recommend the following:
- High blood pressure
- Unhealthy cholesterol levels
- Close blood relatives who have had a heart attack, stroke, or other condition that affects the heart or blood vessels
Your doctor may recommend some tests, such as a blood test to check your cholesterol. If your check-up reveals any risk factors, your doctor can help you lower these risks with lifestyle changes, medication, or both.
Talk to your doctor
Tell your primary care doctor if you have psoriasis to avoid drug interactions or triggering psoriasis.
You’ll find lifestyle recommendations that dermatologists suggest at: Healthy diet and other lifestyle changes that can improve psoriasis.
If you need to make many lifestyle changes to lead a healthy lifestyle, this can feel overwhelming. The key is to start small and gradually increase how much you do.
If you’re having trouble getting started, talking with your primary care doctor or dermatologist can help. A doctor can often tell you which changes can benefit you the most.
A board-certified dermatologist considers many factors, including your:
- Age
- Other medical conditions
- Risk for developing other medical conditions
- Response to past treatments for psoriasis
- Concerns about how psoriasis affects your life
- Other medications
As one dermatologist who is studying the link between psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases says, “Managing your psoriasis involves more than improving your skin. It’s about caring for your entire well-being.”
Images
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References
American Academy of Dermatology. “Treating psoriasis may improve related cardiovascular symptoms.” News release issued July 28, 2016. Last accessed November 30, 2018.
Egeberg A, Skov L, et al. “The relationship between duration of psoriasis, vascular inflammation, and cardiovascular events.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77:650-6.
Hugh J, Van Voorhees AS, et al. “From the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation: The risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with psoriasis and the potential impact of current therapies.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70:168-77.
Alexander Kaushik SB and Lebwohl MG. “CME part I psoriasis: Which therapy for which patient? Psoriasis comorbidities and preferred systemic agents.” J Am Acad Dermatol. Published Online: July 12, 2018 (doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.057).