Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
04:50
Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
[Cardiac involvement in rheumatoid arthritis]
M Turiel1, S Sitia, L Tomasoni
1Università di Milano, Dipartimento di Tecnologie per la Salute, Milano, Italia. maurizio.turiel@unimi.it
Reumatismo
|February 10, 2010
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) significantly increases cardiovascular risk, impacting heart structures and leading to serious complications. Early identification of high-risk patients is crucial for better rheumatoid arthritis management and improved long-term outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Immunology
Context:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 1% of adults, predominantly women of fertile age.
- RA leads to joint destruction and systemic complications, impacting quality of life and life expectancy.
- Increased mortality in RA patients is linked to infections, organ damage, malignancy, and cardiovascular disease.
Purpose:
- To highlight the significant cardiovascular (CV) involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To detail the various cardiac structures and pathogenic pathways affected by RA.
- To emphasize the need for early identification of high CV risk in RA patients for improved prognosis.
Summary:
- RA affects all cardiac structures (valves, myocardium, pericardium, coronary arteries) through diverse inflammatory pathways.
- Clinical manifestations include pericarditis, myocarditis, arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and heart failure.
- Early cardiac involvement in RA is a negative prognostic factor, necessitating proactive CV risk assessment.
Impact:
- Early detection of cardiac complications in RA can significantly improve patient prognosis.
- Identifying high CV risk RA patients allows for tailored long-term management strategies.
- Reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is essential for improving the overall health and longevity of RA patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
01:20Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management
AssessmentA comprehensive assessment is essential in managing a patient with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Begin with obtaining a detailed medical history, including recent streptococcal infections, a history of rheumatic fever, or previously diagnosed rheumatic heart disease. Assess the patient for symptoms such as fever, chest pain, widespread joint pain (arthralgia), tachycardia, pericardial friction rub, muffled heart sounds, heart murmurs, peripheral edema, subcutaneous nodules, and...
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...
01:29Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...