Thanks! I appreciate the quick reply.
I was in a car accident 4 years ago and there was fluid around my heart then. I didn't know it had anything to do with RA.

I had to go thru the same situation with my heart. I actually started my RA adventure with bronchitis and pericarditis In September 2008. I probably had something autoimmune for a very long time before then. I guess that I just kept going until I dropped. Since 2008 I have had 4 cardiac baths, multiple echocardiograms and basically an EKG every visit. If I hurt in my chest, short of breath and can’t lay back in my recliner, I know that I need to call the cardiologist. I used to get anxious when it happened but now I just try to keep calm. I used to wear oxygen but I finally graduated to not wearing it and just have CPAP at night after 14 years. I have had a lot of sleep studies too. RA causes a lot of organ problems. I try to stay out of hospitals. The doctors fuss because I don’t go to the ER when I get bad flares. They will not do anything for me that I can’t do at home. I do keep fluid around my heart. I take fluid pills and potassium that do a pretty good job. I have had so many different illnesses and I no longer want to be a lab rat. When I got sick at the beginning I would get transferred to higher levels of care. I would be put on reverse isolation and I would wake up 4-5 am with about 10 people dressed in isolation gear. Some of them were students. The doctors told them that what I had was rare. At that time I had vocal cord paralysis and other issues. I go in the hospital with one illness and come home with something else. Usually viral. RA is a nasty disease. It changed my life completely. Not only physically but mentally. Stay on top of things. Find a good rheumatologist that you can communicate with. Even when you feel bad, keep it moving. It’s easy to get depressed. Surround yourself with positive people and thoughts
I hear that we are supposed to get 7 inches of snow this weekend. I will believe it when I see it. lol. We are still prepared from last weekend ice and sleet adventure.
Stay warm.

If your primary care doctor will refer you to a cardiologist that is most helpful. It is about heart attacks and RA. I was placed on a rosuvastatin 10 mg to get my colesterol and I mean there are many parts to the lipid panel lowered. Colesterol medicine lowers lipids plus protects the heart. This is what I was told. so I could do more research on this if you need. Heart Attacks for women are not typical as they are for men. Signs are not always chest pain, but back pain, cold sweats, shortness of breath.
Anyway good morning to y'all stay warm and cared for on this Sunday.

Go see a cardiologist then you will know