New research shows that people with psoriasis, including those whose skin condition is well managed, are nearly three times more likely to have signs of a weaker pumping heart compared to people without the skin disease.
The study, published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, compared 2,020 adults. Half had psoriasis, and half did not have any inflammatory skin disease. The groups were matched by age and sex. All participants underwent a clinical evaluation and an ultrasound of the heart to assess how well the heart muscle was working and its structure.
Researchers found that signs of heart muscle dysfunction appeared in 16.7% of people with psoriasis, compared to 6.0% in the group without the condition. This difference held even after the researchers accounted for other factors known to strain the heart, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and higher body weight. This suggests that psoriasis itself may contribute to heart risk.
Another finding was that the severity of the psoriasis did not appear to change the outcome. People with mild cases showed similar rates of heart muscle trouble as those with severe cases. Additionally, higher body mass index and diabetes were each independently linked to heart muscle problems in the psoriasis group.
The authors of the study note that their work extends earlier research connecting psoriasis to heart risk. However, they also state that the exact mechanisms behind this link are not yet known, and it is not clear what specifically can lower this risk in people with psoriasis.
Implications for People with Psoriasis
The study authors point to the value of cardiovascular assessment for everyone with psoriasis, regardless of how mild the skin condition looks. For individuals with psoriasis, this information is not a cause for alarm but a reason to speak with a doctor.
Managing psoriasis remains important for daily comfort and for keeping overall inflammation in check. Working with a care team on factors such as body weight and diabetes is a practical step. A dermatologist and a primary care doctor or cardiologist working together can provide a fuller picture of a person’s health.
Previous research has established a connection between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease, but the impact of the skin condition on the heart’s structure was less clear. This new study provides population-based evidence that warrants further investigation into the relationship between the inflammatory skin disease and heart health.
