RA AND THE FAMILY FIT

This blog is written to make sure that you are aware of the risk between heart disease/heart attacks and Rheumatoid Disease.  This is not written to upset anyone and by no means does this imply that any of us will have a heart attack.  It is not to scare you but to make you aware!  This just shows how big of fight having this disease is for us and how much we should make sure we are doing what it takes to ward off this silent attacker.  Our fight goes on and on but we never let up.

Maybe many of us didn’t know that RA can be a leading cause of heart attacks or if you did that is great.  Of course this is not news that we like to hear or may even want to know but we should be aware just the same.  Keep in mind this does not mean that any of us will have a heart attack but it states the risk is there.

It is thought that several things contribute to the risk including inflammation. In our case chronic inflammation is linked to heart disease and a chance of having a heart attack. It is noted that no other disease causes body tissue to suffer prolonged and sustained inflammation than this disease. Other factors that drives this includes depression, anger, anxiety and the level of support may affect it as well.  Because of our medications, we may end up with high blood pressure and high cholesterol which only adds to our dilemma. Rheumatoid Disease sufferers are less likely to have typical signs and symptoms of heart disease so it often goes unrecognized and untreated due to this which delays treatment and increases our risk of a heart attack.

Keep in mind there are ways to help combat this which includes eating healthy, no smoking, exercise if possible and above all keep those important checkups and test for conditions that affect your heart or any of your organs.  We are working so hard as it is to keep our lives together so this is just something I wanted each of you to be aware of while you’re working toward your best possible life with Rheumatoid Disease.  I just want to make sure you are giving it your best fight in every way possible.  We are up to our head in struggles as it stands so we do not want to miss anything that can be a detriment to us.

Please do more research on this for yourself if you wish.  As I stated, my misson is just to make you aware so it is important that we all know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Some of the symptoms include: chest discomfort, pain in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach. There also maybe nausea, sweating and shortness of breath.  Make sure that you are aware for your own benefit, it can be life saving.

Again, this does not mean any of us will ever have a heart attack but if by sharing this information it helps someone, then it has been worth my while.  I know each of us is doing everything we possibly can to take care of ourselves both physically and mentally and I know without a doubt you will continue to do so. So know that your heart is needed to carry you on in this life and it’s needed to share the love you have in it with those you love.

Be Blessed

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