Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Disease: What Patients Need to Know
Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Disease: What Patients Need to Know
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Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition.
Why Heart Disease Is a Major Concern in Psoriasis
Psoriasis significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, making heart‑related conditions the leading cause of death among people with moderate to severe psoriasis.
Experience the intricate beauty of the human circulatory system in a unique painting inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. Art meets science in this captivating piece.
This elevated risk exists even after accounting for traditional factors such as smoking, obesity, and age—pointing to chronic systemic inflammation as the primary driver.
A Warning from a Heart Attack Survivor
As someone who survived a Heart Attack in 2008 and has managed Psoriasis for four years, I understand the invisible link between the two. For years, we thought psoriasis was "just skin." We now know it is an inflammatory fire that can spread to the coronary arteries.
If you have psoriasis, you aren't just managing plaques—you are managing your longevity. My goal is to help you catch the warning signs of "Silent Inflammation" before they lead to a cardiac event like mine did.
👉 Related pillar article:
Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome: How Chronic Inflammation Increases Mortality Risk
How Psoriasis Affects the Heart and Blood Vessels
Psoriasis triggers persistent immune activation that extends far beyond the skin.
Key Cardiovascular Effects
Chronic endothelial inflammation
Accelerated atherosclerosis
Increased arterial stiffness
Plaque instability
Inflammatory cytokines such as TNF‑α, IL‑17, and IL‑6 damage blood vessels and promote plaque formation, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.
👉 Related cluster:
Systemic Inflammation in Psoriasis: Beyond the Skin
Cardiovascular Conditions Linked to Psoriasis
1. Coronary Artery Disease
People with psoriasis develop coronary artery disease earlier and more aggressively than the general population.
Higher plaque burden
Increased myocardial infarction risk
Greater likelihood of silent heart disease
2. Stroke
Chronic inflammation increases clot formation and vascular damage, leading to:
Higher ischemic stroke risk
Increased stroke severity
Worse long‑term outcomes
3. Hypertension
Psoriasis is strongly associated with:
Treatment‑resistant high blood pressure
Endothelial dysfunction
Increased cardiac workload
4. Heart Failure
Long‑standing inflammation contributes to:
Myocardial remodeling
Reduced cardiac efficiency
Increased heart failure risk over time
Chronic heart strain and inflammation can also lead to Anemia of Chronic Disease, creating a cycle of fatigue.
Does Psoriasis Severity Matter?
Yes — cardiovascular risk increases with psoriasis severity.
Severe psoriasis: Highest cardiovascular and mortality risk
Moderate psoriasis: Significantly elevated risk
Mild psoriasis: Still higher risk than the general population
Importantly, cardiovascular inflammation may progress even when skin symptoms improve.
The Role of Metabolic Syndrome
The same insulin resistance that complicates psoriasis is now being linked to Cognitive Decline (Type 3 Diabetes)
Metabolic syndrome amplifies cardiovascular risk in psoriasis.
When combined, psoriasis and metabolic syndrome create:
Severe insulin resistance
Accelerated vascular damage
Markedly increased mortality risk
👉 Related cluster:
Metabolic Syndrome Criteria and Health Risks in Psoriasis
Can Treating Psoriasis Reduce Cardiovascular Risk?
Systemic and Biologic Therapies
Evidence suggests that targeted psoriasis treatments may:
Reduce vascular inflammation
Improve endothelial function
Lower inflammatory biomarkers linked to heart disease
Biologic therapies targeting TNF‑α and IL‑17 show particular promise.
Recent studies, including the VASCULAR trials, suggest that biologic therapies like TNF-inhibitors (Humira) and IL-17 inhibitors can actually reduce the volume of 'soft' coronary plaque—the dangerous kind that leads to heart attacks. By controlling my psoriasis flare-ups with biologics, I am also helping protect my heart from a second event.
Lifestyle and Preventive Care
Cardiovascular risk reduction requires a comprehensive approach:
Blood pressure control
Lipid management
Weight reduction
Smoking cessation
Regular physical activity
Psoriasis patients benefit most from integrated dermatology and primary care management.
Screening Recommendations for Psoriasis Patients
Routine cardiovascular screening is essential, especially for patients with moderate to severe disease.
Recommended Monitoring
Blood pressure
Lipid profile
Blood glucose or HbA1c
BMI and waist circumference
Family history assessment
Early detection significantly reduces preventable cardiovascular events.
Key Takeaways
Psoriasis significantly increases cardiovascular disease risk
Chronic systemic inflammation is the primary driver
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in psoriasis
Risk rises with disease severity and metabolic syndrome
Early screening and treatment improve outcomes
Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Risk – FAQ
Does psoriasis increase heart disease risk?
Yes. Psoriasis increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, hypertension, and heart failure due to chronic vascular inflammation.
Is cardiovascular risk higher in severe psoriasis?
Yes. Cardiovascular risk increases with psoriasis severity, but even mild disease carries higher risk than the general population.
Should psoriasis patients be screened for heart disease?
Routine cardiovascular screening is recommended, especially for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis or additional risk factors.
The Psoriasis-Heart Checklist
Take these three questions to your next physical:
hs-CRP Test: "Can we check my High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein? It's a marker for the systemic inflammation driving my psoriasis."
Calcium Scoring: "Given my history of autoimmune inflammation, should we do a Heart Scan (CAC) to check for silent plaque?"
Integrated Care: "Does my cardiologist know that my psoriasis is active? We need to coordinate my lipid management with my autoimmune flare-ups."
Medical References
Mehta NN, et al. Psoriasis and cardiovascular disease. JAMA.
Boehncke WH, et al. Psoriasis and atherosclerosis. Lancet.
Gelfand JM, et al. Risk of myocardial infarction in psoriasis. JAMA.
Takeshita J, et al. Psoriasis comorbidities and cardiovascular risk. J Am Acad Dermatol.