Heart attack – if YOU suffer with symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis condition you could be at risk

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints and mainly affects the hands feet and wrists.People suffering with rheumatoid arthritis often experience periods where the symptoms are worse. These can be difficult to predict but there is treatment available which can ease pain and prevent long-term damage to the joints. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience problems in other parts of the body, or more general symptoms such as tiredness and weight loss. New research led by Sarah Skeoch and Professor Ian Bruce at the Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology at the University of Manchester, looked at the link between chronic inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk. Related articles Statins NEWS: Keep taking ‘life saving’ drugs to prevent heart attack Gum disease symptoms: Nine things YOU didn’t know about the condition Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: The condition could be linked to a heart condition atherosclerosisGETTY Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: The condition could be linked to a heart condition atherosclerosis The research used advanced imaging techniques to highlight the greater risk of cardiovascular problems among people with rheumatoid arthritis.The researchers aimed to provide evidence that chronic inflammation drives increased cardiovascular risk in patients by accelerating atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition characterised by the buildup of fatty substances called plaques in the arteries – while also leading to the development of higher-risk plaque types. Researchers found plaque was more prevalent in people with rheumatoid arthritis, with a higher prevalence of plaque calcification also found. They found higher levels of the biomarkers hs-CRP and IL6 can be linked to greater inflammation. WHAT IS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS? Rheumatoid arthriits symptoms: The condition is an autoimmune conditionGETTY Rheumatoid arthriits symptoms: The condition is an autoimmune condition Types of arthritis Tue, February 21, 2017 Arthritis: From osteoarthritis to rheumatoid, here are different types of the painful condition that affects around 10 million people in the UK. Play slideshow Types of arthritis Getty 1 of 12 Types of arthritis Types of arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking the body's own tissues, causing progressive joint and cartilage destruction Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis and is often found in the knee joint Gout is caused by the build up of uric acid in the body that forms crystals and causes pain in the joints Psoriatic arthritis frequently develops after the appearance of psoriasis and causes the joints to become inflamed and painful Carpal tunnel syndrome causes pain in the hands, fingers or thumb Back pain affects 80% of people at some stage in their life Rheumatoid arthritis is an incredibly debilitating condition that affects more than 400,000 people within the UK. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means it is caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue – such as the lining go the joints.It causes joints to become sore and inflamed and damages bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. If the condition isn’t treated, these chemicals gradually cause the joint to lose its shape and alignment. Experts said the results could reveal that a combination of IL6 and hs-CRP represent a significant driver of cardiovascular risk. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: The condition could be linked to a heart condition atherosclerosisGETTY Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: