Researchers from the University of Padua identified that individuals with severe psoriasis bear a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those without psoriasis. The study was published in the journal Investigative Dermatology.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that impacts about 1 to 3 percent of people globally. It presents as patches of skin that peel and redden due to the growth of new tiny blood vessels near the surface.
In a recent investigation, 503 psoriasis patients with no prior cardiovascular disease underwent echocardiography to assess blood flow in the heart’s small vessels. Abnormal readings appeared in roughly 30 percent of participants.
Findings indicate that greater psoriasis severity and longer disease duration correlate with more pronounced disturbances in blood flow. Researchers accounted for factors such as tobacco use, diabetes, and elevated blood lipids.
Earlier studies have shown that individuals with severe psoriasis are more prone to cardiovascular disease and exhibit lower survival rates. The new results illuminate aspects of this relationship and support the idea that systemic inflammation contributes to microvascular dysfunction of the heart vessels.
“There is a need to diagnose and actively screen for microvascular dysfunction in patients with psoriasis, as they carry a higher risk. It is plausible that early and effective psoriasis treatment may correct this dysfunction and ultimately lower the risk of myocardial infarction and related heart failure,” stated Stefano Piaserico of the University of Padua.
Some initial research suggests that coronary microvascular dysfunction can improve with biologic therapy. However, additional trials are required to confirm whether such improvements translate into a reduced cardiovascular risk, he added.
In reviewing prior studies, experts have explored how systemic inflammation in psoriasis may intersect with cardiovascular pathways, highlighting the importance of integrated care approaches that address both skin and heart health for patients living with psoriasis.