TZPSS Articles | Health | PSORIASIS AND HEART DISEASE

PSORIASIS

Psoriasis, severe forms of the itchy skin condition, is now a
risk factor for heart attack, a study in the October 11 issue
of JAMA uggests.

Several hospital-based studies have indicated that psoriasis
is associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular
diseases. Joel M. Gelfand nd colleagues from the University of
Pennsylvania conducted a perspective population-based
cohort study to determine the risk of heart attack in patients
with psoriasis. In his study of 680,000 British patients,
researchers found that people in their 40s with severe
psoriasis were more than twice as likely to suffer a heart
attack than their peers. While, mild psoriasis slightly raised
the risk for heart attack, by 20 percent for people in their
40s. Inflammation may be the link, as it is involved in both
conditions. Thus, if you have psoriasis you should see a
physician and go through a screening to make sure you don't
have other cardiovascular risk factors.

ABOUT PSORIASIS

Psoriasis causes itchy, painful patches of thick, red, scaly
skin. The chronic disease probably starts with the immune
system overreacting and targets the body's own cells.
Psoriasis is associated with markers of systemic inflammation,
such as increased C-reactive protein levels, which have been
linked to the development of atherosclerosis and myocardial
infarction. More than 5 million Americans suffer from it, but
most do not have the severest form.

People with psoriasis are more prone to smoke and to have
diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. However,
researchers have already taken these risk factors into
account.

This article can not be replaced for medical advice. If you have question, you should consult with your
doctor immediately. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2007

Health

TZPSS
science

Topics Front Page

Knowledge has power.

Health Science