Your body is protected from bacteria, viruses, and other invaders by your immune system, a network of specialized cells and organs. However, immune cells occasionally attack the body’s own tissues inappropriately for reasons that are still mostly unknown. The discomfort, redness, and swelling that are typical of many autoimmune disorders are brought on by the inflammation caused by the subsequent outflow of white blood cells and other chemicals (see “Autoimmune diseases: From common to rare”).
However, inflammation also harms blood vessel linings, promoting the accumulation of fatty plaque that can cause artery narrowing (atherosclerosis), raise blood pressure, and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. This link probably explains why heart disease is more common in patients with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. However, it has been difficult to determine the extent and seriousness of this issue until lately.
An increased danger
However, a study that examined the incidence of cardiovascular disease in conjunction with 19 of the most prevalent autoimmune disorders was published in the Lancet in 2022. Individuals with these conditions were up to three times more likely than those without an autoimmune disease to develop cardiovascular disease, depending on the particular ailment.