How does Lupus affect my Heart?
Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disorder that can affect various organs in the body, including the heart. Lupus can cause damage to the heart in several ways:
Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart) can lead to chest pain, irregular heartbeats, and decreased heart function.
Lupus can also lead to the formation of blood clots in the heart, which can block the flow of blood and cause a heart attack.
Lupus can cause inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), which can lead to decreased blood flow to the heart and other organs.
Lupus can also cause high blood pressure (hypertension) which can damage the heart and blood vessels over time.
Lupus can also affect the heart valves, leading to thickening, stenosis or insufficiency of the valves.
These complications are more common in people with lupus who also have other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Therefore, it's important for people with lupus to be regularly monitored by a rheumatologist and a cardiologist to detect any heart-related problems early on, and to take steps to reduce their risk of heart disease.
Treatment for lupus-related heart problems typically involves medications to reduce inflammation and prevent blood clots, such as corticosteroids and anticoagulants. In addition, lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding smoking can help reduce the risk of heart disease.