Various risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease are now well known. These include the traditional risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. A relatively recently recognized risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease is the presence of chronic inflammatory processes and an increased inflammatory factor.
Cardiovascular risk profile
The chance that someone will have a heart attack can be determined by identifying the various risk factors. In this way, an individual cardiovascular risk profile is determined. The known risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, little exercise, unhealthy diet, obesity, cholesterol levels and/or diabetes are an indication of the risk of a heart attack. The cardiovascular risk profile can be supplemented with a relatively new risk factor, namely the presence of chronic inflammatory processes and an increased inflammatory factor.
Inflammatory processes
Scientific research has shown that chronic inflammatory processes play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease. In addition, people with an increased inflammatory factor C-reactive protein (CPR) have a higher risk of a heart attack. An increased inflammatory factor and the presence of chronic inflammatory processes are associated with arteriosclerosis and the clogging of blood vessels. The United States has long been a leader in scientific research into the role of inflammation in the development of cardiovascular disease. Inflammation is now considered the new cardiovascular risk factor there. This factor is therefore already included as standard when determining the risk profile.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Chronic joint rheumatism and ankylosing spondylitis are associated with chronic inflammation. These chronic inflammatory processes give rheumatoid arthritis patients a worse cardiovascular risk profile. The risk of cardiovascular disease among rheumatoid arthritis patients is twice as high as among the general population. The (rheumatism) inflammation worsens cholesterol levels. In addition, the (rheumatism) inflammation has a harmful effect on the blood vessels and the process of arteriosclerosis is accelerated. This results in a greater risk of a heart attack.
Prevention
Suppressing inflammation reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is therefore important that medical specialists, general practitioners, rheumatology nurses and rheumatism patients are aware of the link between (rheumatism) inflammation and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, other risk factors for cardiovascular disease will also have to be identified to determine the entire risk profile. Targeted (preventive) measures can then be taken.