People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. These two conditions are comorbidities, meaning they commonly occur together. Extensive research has shown that the prevalence of hypertension in individuals with RA ranges between 52% and 73%.
If you have RA, your blood pressure might be higher due to various factors. These include a lack of exercise, certain medications used to treat RA like steroids, and less elastic arteries. Inflammation, a key feature of RA, is also linked to increased blood pressure. This is because people with RA often have less-elastic arteries that can narrow, restricting blood flow and subsequently raising blood pressure.
In the context of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation levels, as indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), can be significantly higher than in the general population. Rheumatoid arthritis is not just a joint condition; it’s a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect multiple body systems, including skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. Being an autoimmune disorder, it occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.
Data from the Framingham Heart Study and the Third (US) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) suggest that a 20 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) in RA patients is associated with a significant rise in ischemic heart disease and stroke events.
Hypertension, a common modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, is more prevalent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Research hypothesizes that mediators of inflammation and markers of cardiovascular risk are associated with hypertension in RA patients. For more detailed information, you can refer to these resources: myRAteam, Healthline, Arthritis Foundation, Arthritis Research & Therapy, Mayo Clinic, Oxford Academic Rheumatology, and PMC.
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