Worse Psoriasis, Less Healthy Arteries

The skin disorder psoriasis appears linked with artery inflammation, raising the odds for heart disease, a new study says.

“As the amount of psoriasis increases, the amount of blood vessel inflammation increases,” said senior investigator Dr. Nehas Mehta, a clinical investigator with the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

His team also found that even mild psoriasis may indicate an increased risk for heart attack and stroke.
Just one psoriasis skin patch, or plaque, “might be biologically active, causing low-grade inflammation and starting a cascade, speeding up their blood vessel disease,” Mehta said.

“People really should know that psoriasis is not just a cosmetic disease,” he added.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease that affects about 3% of U.S. adults. It occurs when skin cells grow too quickly, causing thick, white or red patches of skin.

Blood vessel, or vascular inflammation is most likely the direct result of psoriasis, not treatment, Mehta said. Treating psoriasis may lower the risk for heart attack and stroke, he said. Mehta advises people with psoriasis to lower their risk of heart disease by controlling traditional risk factors.

“Avoid smoking, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including moderate exercise and a balanced diet,” he said. “You should also have your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked. Try to do that, because psoriasis itself might be a risk factor.”