Yes, Arthritis and heart disease are connected. Arthritis puts you at the risk of heart disease to a great extent. The people who have arthritis shall have the risk of heart disease fifty percent more than others. Rheumatoid arthritis develops the risks of cardiovascular diseases in an individual. Arthritis affects the blood vessels of the body, thereby improving the risk of heart disease.

As per studies, people who have arthritis may have more chances to die due to heart disease. An alarming relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease is found by the experts. Heart attack and stroke are common issues found among people who have arthritis issues.

Types of Cardiovascular Problems

The various cardiovascular problems that occur among individuals who have rheumatoid arthritis are as follows.

The major one is a Heart attack

The chances for heart attack are higher in Rheumatoid arthritis people, which is twice those who do not have.

Stroke issue

Yet another disease that commonly affects rheumatoid arthritis individuals is the stroke problem. The brain attack is a common problem among arthritis patients when compared to others who do not have this illness.

The next disease is pulmonary embolism

A fatal disease among individuals is pulmonary embolism. Individuals who have rheumatoid arthritis develop the risk of pulmonary embolism more than other people. Arthritis individuals have a high risk of pulmonary embolism.

Coronary artery disease

It is another normal disease found among individuals who have arthritis problems. This disease is found among arthritis individuals higher than other people. 

Heart failure

If your heart does not function or pump blood normally, heart failure occurs. The chances of occurring heart failure are high among people who have arthritis when compared to people who do not have it.

Atrial fibrillation

Another heart problem is Atrial fibrillation in which individuals suffer from an irregular heartbeat. Individuals who have arthritis have more chances and risks of developing atrial fibrillation when compared to a healthy person.

Lifestyle actions that can help your heart

The above discussion gives us a clear understanding of the heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis connection. However, if you follow the basic guidelines and a good lifestyle, you shall reduce the chances of heart disease occurrence. Let us see those actions here.

Quit smoking

The first action which you need to initiate is to quit smoking. Yes, quitting smoking, reducing weight, and consuming good and balanced food are major habits required by you if you want to mitigate the issue further.

Consult with your doctor about your health

You shall inquire with your doctor about the risks of cardiovascular disease personally. Yes, you should speak out to know the risks, percentage of chances for the occurrence of heart disease, and stroke in you. The doctors may calculate the risk of heart disease based on some inputs. Your age, weight, smoking habit, and cholesterol levels are counted for identifying the risks in you.

Be aware of heart numbers for your health

If you want to lead a healthy life without heart disease, try knowing your heart health numbers. What are the health numbers you want to know? To know about blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels in your body is of paramount importance to you. Check if you maintain the normal levels to escape cardiovascular diseases. Body mass index is another indicator for your health that gives a clear status about heart health.

Doing physical work or exercise daily

Yet another important thing which you have to do is exercising regularly. Doing physical exercise every day decreases the risk to a greater extent. Regular physical exercise daily improves your arthritis, and cardiovascular health considerably. Develop the practice of exercising at least half an hour daily.

A general tip for you

Do not neglect to check with your primary care physician at least twice or thrice a year. Your primary physicians may understand you, your heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis to the core. Keep in touch with them without avoiding them completely.