05/22/2026
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. It significantly increases the risk of heart complications by causing inflammation in the heart muscle (myocarditis), the sac surrounding it (pericarditis), or by damaging heart valves. It also accelerates atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries).
Common Lupus-Related Heart Complications -
Pericarditis (Most Common): Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, often leading to sharp, stabbing chest pain that feels worse with deep breaths.
Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle itself, affecting fewer than 10% of patients but causing severe issues like weakness, chest pain, and heart pumping problems.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Accelerated buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks.
Valve Abnormalities: Damage to the heart valves (Libman-Sacks endocarditis), which can cause blood clots.
Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats.
Key Considerations -
Elevated Risk: People with lupus have a two to three times higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population.
Younger Patients: Women aged 35–44 are over 50 times more likely to have a heart attack than women without lupus.
Causes: The damage is caused by chronic inflammation and, in some cases, side effects of long-term steroid use (such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol).
Managing Heart Health with Lupus -
Regular cardiovascular screenings, such as echocardiograms, are essential to detect silent heart involvement. Proactive management includes keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in check, controlling lupus flare-ups, and practicing heart-healthy habits like eating well, exercising, and avoiding smoking.
