Bridging Dermatology and Cardiology: The Link between Skin Lesions and Cardiovascular Risk

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Systemic Inflammation

Background:

• Dermatological disorders are indicators of systemic health with significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) implications.
• Shared pathophysiological mechanisms like inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction link skin and cardiovascular diseases.
• Increased cardiovascular risk is observed in patients with inflammatory and genetic dermatological conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the association between dermatological disorders and cardiovascular risk.
• To explore shared pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
• To emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration for optimizing patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature.
• Evaluation of evidence on dermatological disorders and cardiovascular risk.
• Focus on pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

• Systemic inflammation is a key risk factor for CVD.
• Treatments reducing inflammatory burden are promising for cardiovascular complications.
• Traditional therapies (methotrexate, statins) and novel anti-inflammatory agents (IL-17, IL-23 inhibitors) are effective.

Conclusions:

• Interdisciplinary collaboration between dermatology and cardiology is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Future research should focus on molecular mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and clinical guidelines.
• Bridging dermatology and cardiology enables earlier detection, better risk prediction, and integrated management.