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Heart Disease Underestimated Danger In Rheumatoid Arthritis

By Ashlee Meriwether

Story Created: May 23, 2012

Story Updated: May 23, 2012

Rheumatoid Arthritis patients have a higher risk of early death than the average person and cardiovascular disease is one of the contrbuuting reasons. A Mayo Clinic study shows that heart disease risk assessment tools physicians use often underestimate the dangers. Inflammation plays a key role in putting those with rheumatoid arthritis in greater jeopardy for heart disease, and researchers say more work is needed to figure out what drives heart disease in these patients. They also say more accurate tools to assess that risk should be developed. 

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