RA can significantly affect circulation in several ways. The chronic inflammation that comes with RA doesn't just stay in the joints — it can impact blood vessels and the heart too.
Here are the main ways RA affects circulation:
- Cardiovascular disease — People with RA are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease Show Full Answer
RA can significantly affect circulation in several ways. The chronic inflammation that comes with RA doesn't just stay in the joints — it can impact blood vessels and the heart too.
Here are the main ways RA affects circulation:
- Cardiovascular disease — People with RA are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to the general population
- Vasculitis — Inflammation of the blood vessels themselves can restrict blood flow to the skin, nerves, fingers, and toes
- Atrial fibrillation — An irregular heartbeat is 60% more likely in people with RA
- Heart failure — RA is linked to a significantly higher risk of the heart not pumping blood efficiently
- Blood clotting issues — Abnormal clotting can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke
- High blood pressure and cholesterol — Both are more common in people with RA and further strain circulation Rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) is a specific circulation-related complication worth knowing about. It affects about 1% of people with RA, usually after having RA for 10 or more years. It can cause:
- Tingling or numbness in fingers and toes
- Skin sores or ulcers
- Eye pain or redness
- Chest pain or irregular heart rhythms
The good news is that keeping RA well-controlled with your rheumatologist's help — through DMARDs, biologics, and lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and staying active — can significantly reduce these circulation risks. Regular screening for blood pressure and cholesterol is also really important.
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