Heart Problems Caused by Lupus

According to the Mayo Clinic, lupus is an inflammatory disease. When you have lupus, your immune system begins to attack your tissues and organs. The immune system is unable to differentiate between foreign invaders like bacteria. As a result, your immune system will create auto-antibodies. These auto-antibodies will then begin to attack anything in its path. The auto-antibodies can create health issues such as heart, lung, brain, and kidney damage.

Pericarditis

• People who suffer from lupus are most likely going to suffer from pericarditis. In an article by the Lupus Foundation of America, lupus is the most common heart condition suffered by people with lupus. When you develop periocarditis, the sac that surrounds the heart becomes inflamed as a result of created immune complexes. When you have pericarditis, it may feel as if you are having a heart attack, followed by shortness of breath.

Myocarditis

• In rare cases, lupus sufferers can develop myocarditis. Myocarditis occurs when tissue of the heart becomes inflamed. Once you have developed myocarditis, your heart will begin to have an irregular heartbeat or rapid heartbeat. Heart failure can even occur. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, myocarditis is often accompanied by other muscles in the body being inflamed. The condition will then lead to the development of scar tissue when healthy tissue becomes damaged within the heart.

Endocarditis

• Endocarditis happens when the lining inside of your heart becomes inflamed. Inside your heart are valves that pump blood throughout the heart. When you suffer from endocarditis, the valves can develop thick, wart-like growths known as Libman-Sacks. This can lead to heart murmurs. In worst case scenarios, bacteria can develop within the sacs, and cause a condition known as bacterial endocarditis, which can cause scarring.

Coronary Artery Disease

• Your heart needs the coronary arteries to deliver blood and oxygen to the heart. Without properly functioning arteries, the heart can develop serious complications. Damage can lead to arteritis, or inflammation of the arterial wall within the heart. You can also develop atherosclerosis, or cholseterol deposits, spasms of the arteries, blood clots, or narrowing of the artery. If the artery becomes narrowed, or even blocked, this can lead to a potential heart attack. Angina, or a decrease of blood flow within the arteries can also happen.

Risk Factors

• The Mayo Clinic states that lupus is far more common in women than in men, but the reason as to why is unknown. Ethnicity also plays a role, as more African-Americans are afflicted by lupus than Caucasians. Hypertension, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, or chronic infections such as the Epstein-Barr virus can also cause lupus. Once lupus has developed, the chances of having coronary artery disease also increases.

Considerations

• It is important that if you have developed lupus, to consistently meet with your doctor. Proper treatment of the disease can ward off potential risks, such as heart disease. Though lupus cannot be cured, by not smoking, monitoring eating habits, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with exercise, your chances of having heart issues or long term side effects can be minimized.