New research has found a link between psoriasis and undetected heart damage, suggesting that the skin condition may carry its own cardiovascular risks.
Researchers discovered that people with psoriasis, including those whose skin condition was well-managed, showed signs of a weaker-pumping heart at nearly three times the rate of people without psoriasis. The findings held even after the researchers accounted for other factors known to strain the heart, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and higher body weight.
Study Details
The study, published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, compared two groups of adults. One group of 1,010 people had psoriasis, and another group of 1,010 people did not have any inflammatory skin disease. The groups were matched by age and sex.
Each participant underwent a clinical evaluation and an ultrasound of the heart to examine how well the heart muscle was working and how it was built. Researchers also tracked whether any differences in heart function were linked to the severity of a person’s psoriasis.
Key Findings
Even with well-managed skin disease, people with psoriasis were far more likely to show signs of a weaker heart muscle, a condition known as myocardial dysfunction. This condition means the heart was not pumping as efficiently as it should.
The heart issue appeared at a rate of 16.7% in the psoriasis group, compared to 6.0% in the group without the condition. This is close to three times the rate.
The link between psoriasis and a weaker-pumping heart persisted even after researchers adjusted for cardiometabolic risk factors and existing cardiovascular disease. This suggests that psoriasis itself is contributing to the risk.
The rate of heart muscle trouble was similar whether a person’s psoriasis was mild or severe. Having a milder case did not appear to be protective. Higher body mass index and diabetes were each independently tied to heart muscle trouble in the psoriasis group.
Implications
The study involved people whose skin disease was well-managed, not those with severe, uncontrolled psoriasis. Despite this, they still showed these heart signs at nearly triple the rate of others.
Psoriasis is often treated as a skin issue, with patients working with a dermatologist to control flares and plaques. This research reinforces that psoriasis is a whole-body inflammatory disease. The findings suggest that a psoriasis diagnosis might warrant a check-in about cardiovascular health with a primary care physician.
The authors of the study note that their work extends earlier research connecting psoriasis to heart risk. They state that the exact mechanisms are not yet known, nor is it clear what can specifically lower this risk in people with psoriasis. The evidence from the study warrants further investigation.
Practical Steps
For people with psoriasis, this information is not a cause for alarm but a reason to consult a doctor.
Bringing up heart screening is one step. The authors point to the value of cardiovascular assessment for everyone with psoriasis, no matter how mild the skin condition appears. Focusing on factors that can be influenced, such as higher body weight and diabetes, is another practical step. Both were independently linked to heart muscle trouble in the study.
Managing psoriasis well remains important for daily comfort and for keeping overall inflammation in check. Building a care team that includes a dermatologist and a primary care doctor or cardiologist can provide a fuller picture of a person’s health.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been shown to be supportive for both psoriasis and heart conditions, though it is not a standalone treatment for either.
