Rheumatoid Arthritis and Heart Health is there a reason for concern?
Discover how rheumatoid arthritis increases heart disease risk through chronic inflammation—and how lifestyle changes like diet, stress reduction, and holistic care can support heart and joint health.
When you hear “rheumatoid arthritis,” your first thought might be joint pain. But for many patients, including 47-year-old Christine Morales, the journey goes much deeper than sore hands or stiff knees. For her and millions like her, the real battle is waged invisibly—within the blood vessels, heart muscle, and immune system.
Diagnosed with RA in her early 40s, Christine thought she understood what the disease would look like: flare-ups, mobility issues, and eventually, joint damage. What she didn’t expect was a warning from her cardiologist just two years later.
“My cholesterol wasn’t high. I didn’t smoke. But suddenly I was being told I was at risk for a heart attack,” she recalls. “It didn’t make sense—until my doctor explained how closely RA and heart disease are connected.”
The Inflammatory Link
Christine’s experience isn’t unique. According to a 2023 review in The Lancet Rheumatology, people with RA have a 50–70% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to the general population.
Why? Chronic systemic inflammation.
Dr. Nathaniel Osei, a rheumatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, explains:
“In RA, your immune system is constantly in attack mode. That inflammation doesn’t stay confined to your joints. It affects your arteries, your heart valves—even your electrical conduction system. It’s like a low-grade wildfire burning across your body.”
This inflammation can cause atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and has been directly linked to heart attacks, strokes, and congestive heart failure in RA patients—even among those without traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Turning the Tide: Christine’s Natural Pivot
After a particularly severe flare-up that left her hospitalized with pericarditis (inflammation around the heart), Christine decided it was time to make changes. And while she didn’t abandon her prescribed medications, she began exploring natural anti-inflammatory strategies to support her health.
Her first move? Changing her diet.
“I went low-carb—cut out sugar and refined grains—and shifted toward a more animal-based diet: grass-fed beef, wild-caught salmon, eggs, and bone broth. I added turmeric, magnesium, and omega-3 supplements. Within two months, I felt like I had new energy. Within six, my CRP [C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation] levels dropped significantly.”
Emerging research supports this approach. A 2022 study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that low-carb and ketogenic diets reduced systemic inflammation in autoimmune patients. Another from Nutrients highlighted the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids—commonly found in fatty fish—for cardiovascular protection in RA patients.
Christine also began practicing grounding (walking barefoot on natural surfaces), spending more time in the sun, and prioritizing sleep. She credits this holistic approach with stabilizing both her RA and her heart health.
Balancing Medicine with Lifestyle
While natural approaches are gaining attention, experts warn against ditching conventional medicine altogether.
Dr. Jasmine El-Khoury, an integrative medicine specialist at UCLA Health, offers a balanced view:
“RA is a serious autoimmune condition. Medications like DMARDs and biologics can be life-changing. But lifestyle—especially diet and stress reduction—can absolutely complement treatment. We’re seeing real evidence that food can either fuel or fight inflammation.”
Christine agrees:
“This isn’t about ‘curing’ RA with a steak. It’s about supporting your body from every angle possible—because when your immune system is attacking you 24/7, you need every tool in the box.”
What You Can Do Now
If you or someone you love is managing RA and wants to protect their heart, here’s what doctors and patients recommend:
Get Regular Screenings
Even without typical heart disease symptoms, RA patients should get annual cardiovascular checkups.
Rethink the Plate
Reduce ultra-processed foods, sugars, and seed oils. Consider incorporating more high-quality animal proteins, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and ginger.
Move Your Body
Gentle strength training and walking can reduce joint stiffness while improving heart health.
Manage Stress
Chronic stress elevates cortisol and inflammation. Practices like deep breathing, grounding, and prayer or meditation can make a measurable difference.
Moving Forward: A New Kind of Resilience
At Ravoke.com, we’re committed to telling the full story—one that reflects both the challenges and the triumphs of chronic illness. Christine’s journey is not a prescription, but a powerful reminder that even when autoimmune disease strikes the joints, it doesn’t stop there. And neither should we.
“RA tried to take my mobility and then it tried to take my heart,” she says. “But I took control of what I could—and that gave me hope. It gave me strength.”
New Perspectives
Rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease may share a common root: inflammation. But so does healing. Whether through targeted medications, mindful nutrition, or simple acts of daily self-care, every step matters.
RA isn’t just a joint disease. It’s a full-body experience—and a full-body fight. But it’s one that can be met with knowledge, courage, and a community that understands.
Ravoke.com is here to be that community.
