Does rheumatoid arthritis cause poor circulation?

Does rheumatoid arthritis cause poor circulation?

A rare but serious complication of RA is inflammation of the blood vessels (rheumatoid vasculitis, or RA rash). Inflamed blood vessels weaken and expand or narrow, interfering with blood flow. This can lead to problems with the nerves, skin, heart, and brain.

How does inflammation affect blood vessels?

The inflammation can cause the walls of the blood vessels to thicken, which reduces the width of the passageway through the vessel. If blood flow is restricted, it can result in organ and tissue damage.

Can rheumatoid arthritis cause hardening of the arteries?

Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, also progresses faster in people with RA, and the type of atherosclerotic plaques – the buildup of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances that clog blood vessels in the heart and brain – have different characteristics “that make them more unstable and prone to …

How does rheumatoid arthritis affect blood work?

Blood tests People with rheumatoid arthritis often have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, also known as sed rate) or C-reactive protein (CRP) level, which may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.

What organs are affected by rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

What autoimmune disease affects the blood vessels?

Rheumatoid vasculitis is a condition that causes blood vessels to be inflamed. It happens in some people who have had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for a long time. RA is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is caused by a problem with the immune system.

What happens when RA attacks the heart?

Inflammation narrows the arteries, raising blood pressure and reducing blood flow to the heart, for instance. No wonder people with rheumatoid arthritis have a 50 percent higher risk of experiencing a heart attack, twice the rate of heart failure and more peripheral vascular disease than those without the condition.

Can rheumatoid arthritis damage the heart?

People with RA are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease as those without the condition. Having RA makes you more likely to experience a serious cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke. You’re not destined to have heart troubles just because your joints are inflamed.

What is the lifespan of a person with rheumatoid arthritis?

In general, it is possible for RA to reduce life expectancy by around 10 to 15 years. However, many people continue to live with their symptoms past the age of 80 or even 90 years.

Can rheumatoid arthritis be mistaken for something else?

Another reason RA may be tough to diagnose in early stages is that some initial signs and symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from other conditions. Viral infections, other kinds of arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases may all be mistaken for RA, depending on which specific constellation of symptoms you have.

Can rheumatoid arthritis affect bowels?

RA and medicines used to treat it are linked to mouth and stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, acid reflux, diarrhea, and constipation. Painful diverticulitis (inflamed pouches in your GI tract) and colitis (an inflamed colon) are also possible if you have RA.

What is the root cause of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means it’s caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue. However, it’s not yet known what triggers this. Your immune system normally makes antibodies that attack bacteria and viruses, helping to fight infection.

What foods are bad for rheumatoid arthritis?

Foods You Should Avoid with Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Grilled, broiled, or fried meats (and other fried foods).
• Fatty foods full of omega-6 fatty acids.
• Sugars and refined carbohydrates.
• Gluten.
• Preservatives and flavor enhancers.
• Alcohol.