Rheumatoid Arthritis May Raise Risk of Heart Rhythm Disorder

THURSDAY, March 8 (HealthDay News) — People with rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for a heart rhythm disorder called
atrial fibrillation, a new study finds.

The research involved more than 4 million people, including more than
18,000 with RA, in Denmark, who were followed for an average of five
years.

During that time, people with RA had a nearly 40 percent increased risk
of atrial fibrillation compared to those in the general population — 8.2
events per 1,000 person years for those with RA and six events per 1,000
person years for the general population. That works out to one new case of
atrial fibrillation per 12 RA patients followed for 10 years after
diagnosis.

Among RA patients, women had a slightly higher risk of atrial
fibrillation than men, according to the study published online March 8 on
BMJ.

The researchers also found that people with RA had a more than 30
percent higher risk of stroke than those in the general population — 7.6
events per 1,000 person years for those with RA and 5.7 events per 1,000
person years for the general population.

Previous research has linked RA to an increased risk of heart attacks,
heart failure and stroke. This study finds that RA is also associated with
an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, which is associated with greater
long-term risk of heart failure, stroke and death.

New guidelines recommend that patients with RA should undergo annual
screening for cardiovascular risk factors, and this should include
screening for atrial fibrillation, the researchers from Copenhagen
University Hospital Gentofte said in a journal release.

The researchers also noted that since inflammation plays a role in the
development of atrial fibrillation and stroke, inflammation control is
important for people with RA not only to alleviate joint symptoms, but
also to reduce the need for drugs that may adversely impact heart
health.

More information

The U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has more about atrial fibrillation.

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