9 Key Facts About CVD in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet rheumatologists and primary care physicians who treat RA patients sometimes miss the signs and symptoms of CVD in their patients."The CV risk in patients with RA is not well recognized by practicing physicians, and better recognition and control of traditional risk factors in patients with RA is important," according to Sherine E. Gabriel, M.D., and colleagues writing in a review published in the American Heart Journal in October 2013. "Coordination of care among rheumatologists, cardiologists, and primary care physicians will be needed for optimal management of cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis."Dr. Gabriel and colleagues outlined factors associated with both rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease. In this slideshow, we highlight some of their findings.REFERENCE:  Cynthia S.Crowson MS, Katherine P.Liao MD MPH, John M.Davis III MD, et al "Rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease," American Heart Journal. October 2013. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2013.07.010