The Yale School of Medicine announced that its Section of Cardiovascular Medicine will collaborate with the Section of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology to provide a new Cardio-Rheumatology program. Expected to boost patient care for those with autoimmune diseases who are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, the new comprehensive program is designed to better screen for cardiovascular comorbidities, more effectively carry out lipid testing, offer enhanced imaging techniques, conduct risk stratification, help patients reduce their cardiovascular risk factors, and determine personalized treatment plans to suit the needs of this patient population. Experts explained that those with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and psoriatic arthritis may especially have a higher risk of experiencing elevated lipoprotein levels, myocarditis, pericarditis, and atherosclerosis. Additionally, some medications for rheumatic diseases, such as statins, have been known to increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases or worsen symptoms—creating difficulties for rheumatologists in prescribing appropriate treatments for both conditions. Experts noted that patients with rheumatic diseases who have chronic inflammation, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, a family history of cardiovascular disease, and a history of smoking may be at an increased risk of experiencing cardiac complications. “As a physician, we need to think about the patient’s disease and the potential risks and benefits of treatment. Our job is not only to just treat the disease, but to help our patients understand the medical information,” concluded Margaret L. Furman, MD, MPH, FACC, RPVI, Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Co-Director of the Cardio-Rheumatology program at the Yale School of Medicine.
May 25, 2023