When people hear about psoriasis, they usually think of red, scaly patches on the skin. These patches can be itchy, painful, and embarrassing.
But psoriasis is not just a skin problem. It is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake.
In psoriasis, this immune attack causes skin cells to grow too fast, leading to thick, scaly skin.
What many people don’t know is that psoriasis also increases the risk of heart disease. This is mainly because of chronic inflammation. Inflammation is part of the body’s natural defense system. It helps fight infections and heal injuries. But when inflammation doesn’t go away, it can start to damage the body instead of protecting it.
In people with psoriasis, the same inflammation that causes skin problems also affects the inside of the body, including the heart and blood vessels. This hidden inflammation can raise the risk of heart problems like heart attacks, strokes, and clogged arteries.
Research shows that people with severe psoriasis are up to 58% more likely to have a major heart problem, like a heart attack, and 43% more likely to have a stroke compared to those without psoriasis. This risk is not just for older adults. Even young people with psoriasis can be affected.
Psoriasis can also make other heart disease risk factors worse. For example, people with psoriasis are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. All of these conditions raise the chances of having heart problems.
The good news is that managing psoriasis can help protect the heart. Some treatments for psoriasis reduce inflammation throughout the body—not just on the skin. This may also lower the risk of heart disease.
Living a healthy lifestyle is also very important. Eating a balanced diet, staying active, quitting smoking, and managing stress can all help reduce the risk of heart disease. These habits are helpful for everyone, but they are especially important for people with psoriasis.
It’s important to understand that psoriasis is not only about the skin. It’s a whole-body condition that can affect many parts of your health. That’s why people with psoriasis should work closely with their doctors to monitor both skin symptoms and heart health.
By taking steps to manage psoriasis and reduce heart disease risks, people can improve both their skin and their overall health. With the right care and lifestyle choices, it’s possible to lead a healthier, more comfortable life.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
