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Bridging Dermatology and Cardiology: The Link between Skin Lesions and Cardiovascular Risk
Beatrice Simeone1, Elisa Dietrich2, Gianmarco Sarto1
1Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Cardiology Unit, ICOT Hospital, Latina, Italy.
Insights
Dermatological conditions indicate systemic health, increasing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk due to shared inflammation pathways. Integrated care and targeted therapies can improve management of these interconnected conditions.
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.
Introduction:
Dermatological disorders are emerging as important indicators of systemic health and have drastic implications for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Skin and cardiovascular diseases share common pathophysiological mechanisms, including chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. These overlapping pathways contribute to the increased cardiovascular (CV) risk observed in patients with inflammatory and genetic dermatological conditions, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Methods:
This narrative review was conducted by evaluating current evidence from peer-reviewed literature on the association between dermatological disorders and cardiovascular risk. Particular attention was given to pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic implications relevant to both specialties.
Results And Discussion:
Since systemic inflammation is a major risk factor for CVD, treatments that reduce the inflammatory burden represent promising strategies to prevent or mitigate cardiovascular complications in patients with dermatological conditions. Traditional therapies (e.g., methotrexate and statins) remain the gold standard to reduce CV risk. In addition, advances in the field of inflammation-such as inhibitors targeting IL-17 and IL-23 pathways-along with new systemic biomarkers and the development of targeted therapies, are paving the way for improved patient stratification and personalized approaches.
Conclusions:
This review highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in optimizing patient outcomes and emphasizes the need for closer integration of dermatological and cardiological expertise. Future research should focus on clarifying molecular mechanisms, identifying therapeutic targets, and refining shared clinical guidelines. By bridging dermatology and cardiology, this review underscores the potential for earlier detection, better risk prediction, and integrated management of coexisting dermatological and cardiovascular conditions.
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