Hi,
I have a check up with my cardiologist next week, I hear that PsA can increase the chances of cardiac problems. Is there anything I should ask the cardiologist pertaining to PsA and the heart? I guess it can cause inflammation around the heart?
I had a CT scan a couple of years ago, and it showed some calcium deposits in the main arteries, so I went and had it checked out. They gave me a stress test, my later when I told my GP, he said that was kind of dumb, what if the calcium deposit dislodges?
A friend went to ER today, because he thought he had something in his eye, they ended up giving him a CT and found he had a clogged carotid artery in his neck, the doctor said he was close to having a stroke, and couldn’t believe my friend luck that he came on a unrelated visit. He is going to get a procedure next week, where they ream out the artery, sounds like a lot of fun…
Yes, Jon, it’s a very good idea to get your heart checked! I had a heart attack (yes, it turns out there is some damage to my heart as the echo cardiograph showed at the Mayo Clinic). All I had was some very weird chest pain and pain going up my neck to the roof of my mouth. That was almost 2 years ago. I had a 95% blockage in my right coronary artery. I never thought something like that would happen to me. My brother and sister both had heart attacks, but they were both smokers and one was overweight. I believe all the inflammation from PsA caused this!
Have it checked out. An angiogram would give you peace of mind, but not sure if they’d do one unless they’re pretty positive you have a blockage.
That you have some calcium deposits seen on a CT scan might not be enough to justify an angiogram, have you had any unusual chest pain? High cholesterol? High blood pressure or abnormal EKG?
Good luck!
Yes, history of high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Interesting that the insulin resistance, and high cholestol were tied to autoimmune, when I got my systemic inflammation under better control, all the numbers went down. My Endocrinologist was amazed and asked what likestyle changes I did to bring down my numbers, I told him biologics. He probably is still scratching his head on that one. I had been on a extreme low carb diet, and it would not effect the numbers, a nuclear scan had me lit up like a Christmas tree, before starting DMARDs.
We also have hypothyroidism in the family, myself, my mother, and now one of my brother…
My one brother who gets his medical from the VA, for a year they missed that he was hypotyroid, every TSH blood-test came back in the 30 range, when 5 is now considered hypothyroid… That is medical malpractice!
Stress test last done was normal, EKG normal, US with Dopler also showed good valve action with very little blow back. I started going to the cardiologist after getting a surgically induced Staph infection, requiring Vancomyasin infusions for 5 weeks twice a day, the sideeffect was tachiocardia, a resting heartbeat at 140! My idiot GP suggested I get a mental evaluation, I said “maybe, but not for this” it is amazing how stupid some incompatant doctors can be! Then went to my first cardiologist, who gave me betablockers, is slowed down my heart, but not the rest of my body, so I started getting asthma, I dumped the meds, and the doctor.
Good question! I don’t know why my rheumy hasn’t referred me for a heart check up? I had a stress test and EKG done last year as a result of a misdiagnosis from a walk in clinic. All my tests were perfect, but I feel I need to get heart check ups because of PsA.
Depending on the Rehumy, most seem to be just focusing on writing Rx and follow p with meds. Some manage the diesase and reffer you to other specialsit for related conditions. So if you are not one of those minority lucky patients, you can always go back to the GP and have him coordinate check-ups with specialsts.
Wow, what an ordeal! 
Yea, I saw a heart doctor after I was prescribed Gabapentin. I think it was 75mg. Anyway, my heart started doing flipflops in my chest and it took my breath away. So I stopped and had to check the heart and all that. My heart was fine and as far as I can tell it was the med. I will not be taking that again.
Evil stuff, Gabapentin and Lyrica!
I’ve been gabapentin for a few years for neuropathy with no trouble. What’s your concern with it?
I figure it is effective for some people. I just happen to be that one who experienced unusual side effects. There is no direct casual chain here. As soon as I move from a lower dose to the next dose 75mg I think–is when I started noticing some flipping and flopping in the chest. My pcp told me to stop immediately and so I did. He then made me an appointment with a heart doctor. It was bizarre. All I can speak to is opiod and nsaids do me better than anything in dealing with symptoms.
Yea, that is crazy Jon. What is important is you paid attention to your body and only you can be the one who coordinates service for yourself. You are your best spokesman and we are our best advocate. I always try to question my rheumy and any doctor really to get a feel of their capacity. It amazes me that some even are approved to be doctors. Anymore I have so much stuff to address I find that writing a list and making sure I have brought to the attention of the doctor in question for every appointment. Sometimes they try to speed through and you do not get your questions and concerns answered.
I think it come down to, “pick your poison”, with most of our medications. One has to weigh the benefits over the possible consequences.
For me, it felt like it was killing my brain, brain fog off the chart, blurred vision, etc. so I stopped taking both medications. Then the doctor gave me Cymblta, this was 10 times worse the Lyrica…
I have had nerve pain for over 30 years, when I first went to a specialist, they thought it was in my head, or I was faking it, then later they started peddling these anticonvulsive medications. My pain is a constant burning pain, with only occasional lightening strikes, if I had those more often, I would have to go on one of these medications, but my pain is manageble, and I need all the brain cells I can get!
Back on the subject of the thread; it appears that PsA can cause aortic inflammation. They site people with SIJ involvement having a greater chance of getting this.
https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/certain-psoriatic-arthritis-symptoms-increase-heart-disease-risk
Also here is a article discribing the condition.
I am seeing the cardiologist tomorrow for a check up, my last Ultrasound Dopler image showed good valve action. I did have one incident 2 weeks ago, of being dizzy and breaking out in a old sweat, also became nausious, felt like a blood pressure drop. So will see what he has to say.
Sounds like they mostly just want to reduce inflammation, so Biologics are the best way for that.
This wasn’t a good resource. The article itself was an opinion piece. If you go on to read the actual press release about gabapentin, it simply says that they have found the mechanism of the medication, and that it is safe for adult use.
The study was done by Dr Barnes. https://www.wellnessresources.com/studies/neurontin-and-lyrica-are-highly-toxic-to-new-brain-synapses
I am not surprised that the manufacturuer would tell you it is safe to use. This Stanford study by Dr Barnes is not a hit piece. They did say the drug douse not desolve existing synopses, but just prevents new ones from forming, the argument is that adults do not create many new synopses, but this has proven false.
So like I said, “pick your poison” if it helps with pain, maybe it is worth the potential damage.
I am actually cursed with genetic PsA AND genetic Heart Disease. I’m “au-natural” as the cardiologists say. I joined a study at the National Institute of Health (NIH) due to the inflammation from the PsA which has caused me additional heart problems. Everyone with PsA should, in my opinion have their ticker checked out DURING a flair up of PsA. The inflammation is also in the blood vessels at that time.