Heart issues

This is interesting! tctmd.com/news/even-low-dos...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have replied to previous post - but coped here for completeness -

What doesn't seem to covered in any detail apart from the comments below, is the other health issues that these patients also have, which may be contributing as much to the risk of CVD as steroids. plus of course, untreated inflammation can cause it's own problems.

"Lead investigator Mar Pujades-Rodriguez, PhD (University of Leeds, England) recommended that patients with inflammatory disease requiring oral glucocorticoids be treated with the minimal dose required while being closely monitored for cardiovascular risk. If a higher dose of steroid is required to treat a flare-up, she said the dose should be reduced as soon as possible, although the specific treatment course will be dependent on the patient’s needs. She noted that many patients in the CPRD - Clinical Practice Research Datalink - with inflammatory disease had modifiable risk factors, including one-quarter with obesity and another 25% with hypertension.

“Physicians need to keep this in mind, as well,” she said. “It’s not only a question of monitoring their inflammatory condition but [also] at the same time looking at whether there are other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension or diabetes or obesity. . . . Any of the traditional risk factors will need to be assessed and monitored accordingly as it will help reduce their risk.”

As in life generally, the risks of the steroids have to be weighed up against the risk of not taking the medication.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As I said on the other thread - a warning to medics to treat their inflammatory patients on pred as a whole and rememberthere are other things to monitor besides the rheumatology or other need for pred.

[Macas]

I have Had Afib for about 5 years ! And PMR for 11 years.I saw a Cardiologist when the Afib started and I asked the question “was it anything to do with the steroids or the Pmr” He looked at me and gave me one of lose looks that says don’t be stupid 😰 and said there was no connection at all . I wish I could see him again and show him the attachment you have posted. Or perhaps wrap it around his neck😱

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Macas]

I asked the same question of my cardiologist originally - a specialist in arrythmias - and he agreed immediately. It definitely wasn't pred, it had started long before that, but it did cooincide with PMR.