Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2025

Author Spotlight: Self-Assessment Protocol for Predicting Psoriatic Arthritis in Psoriasis Patients
Published on: March 1, 2024
Cardiovascular disease risk in psoriatic disease: mechanisms and implications for clinical practice
John L Medamana1, Joel M Gelfand2, Brittany N Weber3
1Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
Insights
Psoriasis patients have higher cardiovascular risks due to shared inflammation with atherosclerosis. Managing traditional risk factors and inflammation is key for preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in psoriasis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cardiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, including ischemic heart disease and death.
- Traditional atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors are often underdiagnosed and undertreated in psoriasis patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease.
- To highlight shared inflammatory pathways and discuss prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating psoriasis, inflammation, and cardiovascular outcomes.
- Analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms linking psoriasis and atherosclerosis.
Main Results:
- Psoriasis and atherosclerosis share common inflammatory pathways, including pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6), immune cells, and platelets.
- These shared pathways contribute to endothelial damage and atherosclerosis progression.
Conclusions:
- Optimal CVD prevention in psoriasis involves managing traditional ASCVD risk factors.
- Emerging data suggest that targeting inflammation may further reduce ASCVD risk in psoriasis patients.
Purpose Of Review:
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated pro-inflammatory skin condition that is associated with an increase in risk factors for cardiovascular disease, risk of ischemic heart disease, and cardiovascular death. Despite this, traditional modifiable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors are underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with psoriasis.
Recent Findings:
At a cellular level, psoriasis and atherosclerosis are driven by a host of shared inflammatory pathways, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6), immune cells, and platelets which act synergistically to drive endothelial damage and atherosclerosis progression.
Summary:
Optimal prevention of cardiovascular disease in psoriasis centers around modifying known risk factors for the development of ASCVD and emerging data highlight the promise of treating inflammation to further decrease the risk of ASCVD.
Related Concept Videos
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications

