Psoriasis is often seen as just a skin condition, but new research shows it could have much deeper effects on the body—especially the heart.
A recent study from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, led by Ning Gao and published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, found a strong link between psoriasis and several serious heart diseases.
Psoriasis is a long-term illness where the immune system makes skin cells grow too fast. This causes red, itchy, and flaky patches, often on the elbows, knees, or scalp. While it affects the skin on the outside, psoriasis is actually a whole-body disease, driven by ongoing inflammation inside the body.
The condition is caused by a mix of genetic factors, changes in the immune system, and environmental triggers such as stress, infections, or cold weather. Although there is no cure, treatments like special creams, light therapy, and immune-suppressing medicines can help manage the symptoms.
Until now, many people have not realized that psoriasis can also raise the risk of heart disease. In this new study, researchers used a method called Mendelian randomization. This technique looks at genes to find out if one condition might directly cause another.
The researchers looked at genetic information from a large group of people with European backgrounds to see if there was a link between psoriasis and heart problems.
The results showed that people who are genetically more likely to get psoriasis also have a higher risk of developing several serious heart conditions. These include heart failure, irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), heart attacks, problems with heart valves, and strokes caused by blockages in large arteries.
However, the study did not find a link between psoriasis and other types of strokes, such as those caused by heart clots or small blood vessels. The researchers also checked whether other factors, like lifestyle or environment, could have affected the results. They found only weak signs of this, which supports the idea that the connection is real.
This discovery is important because heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The findings add to earlier studies that have also shown that people with psoriasis are more likely to have heart problems.
It suggests that doctors should keep an eye on heart health when treating patients with psoriasis, especially those with moderate to severe forms.
The study highlights the need to treat psoriasis as more than just a skin condition. People living with psoriasis may benefit from early heart health screenings, such as checking blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Taking these steps could help prevent heart disease and improve overall health.
In short, this new research shows that psoriasis can affect much more than the skin. By looking after the heart as well as the skin, doctors and patients can work together to improve quality of life and avoid serious health issues in the future.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that Manganese can help clear arterial plaques and treat heart disease and Aspirin use linked to heart failure.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about the blood thinner drug that can prevent strokes in people with hidden heart issues and new guidelines on daily aspirin for heart attack and stroke prevention.
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