Re: Heart Problems with RA?

[Guest guest]

This is probably not related, but I did have a heart problem that may or may not be related remotely to RA. I had chest pains, shortness of breath, and fatigued easily when exercising. My GP had x-rays taken to look for lung problems and blood work for heart enzymes to see if I had a mild heart attack. These came back negative so he referred me to a cardiologist who did an echocardiogram and found that I had pericarditis. This is inflammation of the lining around the heart and buildup of fluid so that the heart cannot expand and contract as well as it should. This was easily corrected by increasing my Prednisone from 10 to 20 mg daily for about a week and having me take up to 6 Ibuprofen tablets a day. The problem has not returned.

There is no joint around the heart so it is not strictly speaking related to RA but with RA there is systemic inflammation and it would not surprise me if the inflammation could spread to the lining of the heart. I was told that there is no known specific cause for Pericarditis and nothing I can do will prevent a recurrence. However, since Pericarditis is rare, a recurrence is also unlikely. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: Lynn

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 6:49 AM

Subject: Heart Problems with RA?

Good Morning!Does anyone know anything about the possible heart problems with RA?I've been having a hard time lately with irregular heartbeats - very scary! I've seen my GP, had an EKG, the whole deal, but nothing shows up. She figures it's benign (which I'm hoping!) and tells me it's actually a very common thing. To be on the safe side though she's sending me off to an internist who specializes is cardiac issues as she says there is a tiny, tiny chance it may be related to my RA.Anyone gone through this? I'm kind of wondering what to expect... And how does/can RA affect the heart?? That was a new one on me.Thanks very much - hope everyone is doing well!Lynn

[Guest guest]

The build up of fluid within the " sack " that surrounds the heart is

called Cardiac Tampanode. As with the lungs the heart is encased in a

sack that has a small amount of slippery fluid which prevents

friction on the heart and lungs when the beat or expand and contract.

These fluids can get inflamed and Cardiac Tamponade can cause an

irregular heart beat. If enough fluid builds up it can actually stop

the heart from beating. This is notcommon and usually occurs if there

is blunt trauma to the chest such as a car accident.

It is my understanding that the heart and lungs can be affected by RA.

Hope this trivia helps!

God Bless,

Jay

> This is probably not related, but I did have a heart problem that

may or may not be related remotely to RA. I had chest pains,

shortness of breath, and fatigued easily when exercising. My GP had

x-rays taken to look for lung problems and blood work for heart

enzymes to see if I had a mild heart attack. These came back

negative so he referred me to a cardiologist who did an

echocardiogram and found that I had pericarditis. This is

inflammation of the lining around the heart and buildup of fluid so

that the heart cannot expand and contract as well as it should. This

was easily corrected by increasing my Prednisone from 10 to 20 mg

daily for about a week and having me take up to 6 Ibuprofen tablets a

day. The problem has not returned.

>

> There is no joint around the heart so it is not strictly speaking

related to RA but with RA there is systemic inflammation and it would

not surprise me if the inflammation could spread to the lining of the

heart. I was told that there is no known specific cause for

Pericarditis and nothing I can do will prevent a recurrence.

However, since Pericarditis is rare, a recurrence is also unlikely.

Good luck and God bless.

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: Lynn

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 6:49 AM

> Subject: Heart Problems with RA?

>

>

> Good Morning!

>

> Does anyone know anything about the possible heart problems with

RA?

>

> I've been having a hard time lately with irregular heartbeats -

very

> scary! I've seen my GP, had an EKG, the whole deal, but nothing

> shows up. She figures it's benign (which I'm hoping!) and tells

me

> it's actually a very common thing.

>

> To be on the safe side though she's sending me off to an

internist

> who specializes is cardiac issues as she says there is a tiny,

tiny

> chance it may be related to my RA.

>

> Anyone gone through this? I'm kind of wondering what to

expect...

> And how does/can RA affect the heart?? That was a new one on me.

>

> Thanks very much - hope everyone is doing well!

>

> Lynn

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you both - Jay and Harold!

A bit scary, but I'd rather know the facts than make half-educated

guesses!

I'll be sure to mention this to the internist when I see him - if he

doesn't bring it up himself.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

:-) Lynn

> > This is probably not related, but I did have a heart problem

that

> may or may not be related remotely to RA. I had chest pains,

> shortness of breath, and fatigued easily when exercising. My GP

had

> x-rays taken to look for lung problems and blood work for heart

> enzymes to see if I had a mild heart attack. These came back

> negative so he referred me to a cardiologist who did an

> echocardiogram and found that I had pericarditis. This is

> inflammation of the lining around the heart and buildup of fluid

so

> that the heart cannot expand and contract as well as it should.

This

> was easily corrected by increasing my Prednisone from 10 to 20 mg

> daily for about a week and having me take up to 6 Ibuprofen

tablets a

> day. The problem has not returned.

> >

> > There is no joint around the heart so it is not strictly

speaking

> related to RA but with RA there is systemic inflammation and it

would

> not surprise me if the inflammation could spread to the lining of

the

> heart. I was told that there is no known specific cause for

> Pericarditis and nothing I can do will prevent a recurrence.

> However, since Pericarditis is rare, a recurrence is also

unlikely.

> Good luck and God bless.

> > ----- Original Message -----

> > From: Lynn

> > Rheumatoid Arthritis

> > Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 6:49 AM

> > Subject: Heart Problems with RA?

> >

> >

> > Good Morning!

> >

> > Does anyone know anything about the possible heart problems

with

> RA?

> >

> > I've been having a hard time lately with irregular heartbeats -

> very

> > scary! I've seen my GP, had an EKG, the whole deal, but

nothing

> > shows up. She figures it's benign (which I'm hoping!) and

tells

> me

> > it's actually a very common thing.

> >

> > To be on the safe side though she's sending me off to an

> internist

> > who specializes is cardiac issues as she says there is a tiny,

> tiny

> > chance it may be related to my RA.

> >

> > Anyone gone through this? I'm kind of wondering what to

> expect...

> > And how does/can RA affect the heart?? That was a new one on

me.

> >

> > Thanks very much - hope everyone is doing well!

> >

> > Lynn

> >

> >

> >