- Researchers report that psoriasis is linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
- They say that inflammation plays a role in this, but the precise mechanisms are unclear.
- Early intervention and effective treatment plans may help reduce cardiovascular risks.
Globally, psoriasis affects an estimated
Despite its prevalence, this immune-mediated dermatological condition still holds many mysteries.
Aside from psoriatic lesions on the skin, this condition can also influence less visible parts of the body.
One important example is its links to an increased risk of
Medical News Today spoke with Dr. Joel Gelfand, a professor of dermatology and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine about the disease.
“There are many lifestyle, genetic, and immunologic connections between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease,” he explained.
He noted that scientists have known about this link for many years and it is an important area of research.
“The more extensive psoriasis is on the skin, the greater risk the patient has of heart attack, stroke, and mortality,” said Gelfand, who wasn’t involved in the study. “Underdiagnosed and undertreated, traditional cardiovascular risk factors in psoriasis patients are also critical to mediating this relationship.”
A recent study, which appears in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, uses a new approach to investigate the precise mechanisms behind psoriasis and cardiovascular disease.
Experts say that the inflammation associated with psoriasis helps drive the development of cardiovascular disease.
This inflammation encourages the growth of plaques in blood vessels and can lead to atherosclerosis, a factor in the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
This includes an increased risk of coronary artery disease, where the…
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