Link between psoriasis and heart failure, according to research

People who suffer from psoriasis may be at increased risk of heart failure and should be screened for heart disease, scientists have said following research.

Researchers examined medical records of all Danish adults and concluded that people with psoriasis were more susceptible to developing heart failure, with the risk increasing as the disease worsened.

As the researcher, Dr. Usman Khalid, “the findings highlight the importance of regular assessment and management of risk factors for cardiovascular problems in patients with psoriasis,” adding that “chronic inflammation may be a link between the two conditions.”

What is psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic disease that affects 125 million people worldwide.

As the researcher explains, psoriasis should be considered a systemic inflammatory disease, which affects the whole body and not just one area of the skin.

Thus, treating physicians should consider early screening and treatment for risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle and smoking, in patients with psoriasis to reduce the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.

Early awareness and prevention

Knowledge and education of psoriasis patients about the relationship between skin disease and heart disease is key to encouraging them to adopt heart-friendly behaviors, the researcher concluded.

The research was presented at a recent European Society of Cardiology conference and the data is considered preliminary until it is published in a medical journal.

However, although the research found a link between psoriasis and heart disease, it does not necessarily prove that a causal relationship exists.