Psoriasis is not only a skin disease. It is an autoimmune disease that causes red, scaly patches on the skin. But did you know that people with psoriasis have a much higher likelihood of developing heart diseases? Research indicates that individuals suffering from psoriasis are three times more likely to experience heart ailments than those without it.

Psoriasis results in long-term inflammation in the body. According to Dr Sushant Srivastava, Artemis Hospitals, it is not confined to the skin but extends to blood vessels too. “This inflammation stiffens and narrows the arteries, raising the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke,” he says.

Individuals suffering from psoriasis, Dr Srivastava explains, tend to have other ailments like high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes, which also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. He adds that all these diseases, along with the inflammation resulting from psoriasis, can greatly burden the heart and blood vessels, increasing the chances of severe cardiovascular complications.

Furthermore, patients with psoriasis are at three times higher risk of heart disease. According to Dr Anil KV Minz, Marengo Asia Hospitals, raised inflammatory markers in blood cause inflammation in blood vessels too. “Plus, dilated blood vessels in skin lesions also may contribute to peripheral blood circulation and add more work for the heart, contributing to disturbance in peripheral blood circulation,” he says.

The good news is that it's possible to decrease the risk of heart diseases by controlling psoriasis and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

• Eat Healthy Foods: Increase fruit, vegetable, whole grain, and lean protein like chicken or fish intake. Decrease junk foods, fried snacks, and sugary drinks.

• Stay Active: Exercise keeps your heart healthy and avoids swelling in the body. Yoga or a walk can do wonders.

• Avoid Alcohol & Smoking: Drinking and smoking may exacerbate psoriasis and worsen heart conditions. Quit or reduce them.

• Manage Stress: Stress may bring on psoriasis. Unwind with meditation, deep breathing, or yoga.

• Control Inflammation: Some medications not only cleanse the skin but also reduce swelling in the body, and that reduces the risk of heart disease.
• Get regular check-ups: Monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels to detect issues early.

Dr Minz says psoriasis should be kept under control, and a cardiac checkup for long, extensive psoriasis should be done. “Patients who have a family history of psoriasis are at higher risk. “3 percent of the world population suffers from some kind of psoriasis, i.e., 125 million people approximately,” he says.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.