Based on research, it has long been thought that people with gout are at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease. While doctors still don’t completely understand why this is, Sachin Parikh, M.D., a cardiologist at Henry Ford Health, provides insight on how these conditions might be connected.
How Gout Impacts The Body
Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused when too much uric acid forms deposits at your joints – causing pain and inflammation. About 4% of the population has gout, and according to Dr. Parikh, people with gout may have about a 20-25% greater risk of having heart issues than those without it.
“While we don’t know the exact mechanism by which the two conditions are related to each other, we do know that people with gout often have similar risk factors to heart disease,” says Dr. Parikh. “Although gout can result from localized joint inflammation, widespread inflammation of the body can contribute to heart disease. Treating causes of inflammation can be an important tool in treating both these disease processes.”
Total body inflammation can contribute to your heart disease risk by increasing your chances of atherosclerosis (when plaque builds up inside the arteries of the heart and increases your risk of developing narrowed arteries or a blockage). Just like gout, other arthritis conditions that cause inflammation in the body (such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus) can increase your risk of heart disease as well.
Treating Heart Disease And Gout
Gout is a condition that can be managed, but flareups are possible. When experiencing a gout flareup, your risk for a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher, so knowing you have gout and understanding how it impacts your body can help you be aware of that risk.
“It is important that we recognize the association between these two conditions,” says Dr. Parikh. “Identifying individuals at risk and undergoing appropriate screening can go a long way in helping prevent a heart attack or stroke. Patients with gout should be not only treated for their condition, but also screened for risk factors that can be contributed to early atherosclerosis.”
Most importantly, follow up with your doctor to monitor your heart health over time. Your primary care physician or cardiologist may make recommendations to lower your chances of heart disease including:
- Getting enough exercise
- Making heart healthy food choices
- Quitting smoking
- Managing other heart disease risk factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Having regular cholesterol and blood pressure screenings
If you have gout, it is good to know that your risk of developing heart disease is higher. Talk with your doctor about ways you can control your heart disease risk factors and continue to screen your health for any changes.
Reviewed by Dr. Sachin Parikh, a cardiologist who specializes in coronary disease, valvular heart disease and advanced cardiac imaging. He sees patients at Henry Ford Hospital and Henry Ford Medical Center – Plymouth.
