Whether you admit it or not, when it comes to psoriasis, the farthest thing that would come to your mind would be heart problems. After all, psoriasis typically concerns only your skin. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is the medical term used to define a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It usually shows up as thickened, red skin that appears to scale every now and then. Some of the most common areas where you would probably experience psoriasis would include the area around the elbow, knees, and the scalp. That being case, very few are aware that there are actually different kinds of psoriasis – plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic, nail psoriasis, and Psoriatic arthritis.
While it is clear among medical professionals how to deal with psoriasis, there is still very little information when it comes to what could be causing it. Doctors, however, have ascertained that the predisposition for this kind of tends to run in the family. A number of studies have also shown that the immune system of an individual could have a role in one’s risk for psoriasis. Not many people may know it but, a number of researches have also found a link between psoriasis and your risk for heart diseases.
First thing’s first. You need to understand that psoriasis is basically your immune system going haywire due to a perceived threat. In most cases, this “threat” causes the immune system to trigger inflammation. In most cases, the inflammation could involve your blood vessels. When this happens, there is actually an increase in the risk for artherosclerosis, or the build-up of plaque along the walls of the blood vessels. Left on its own, the plaque could hinder the flow of the blood which, later on, could lead to s number of heart diseases as well as heart attack. Fortunately, there is a way to better deal with psoriasis:
1. Healthy Lifestyle
You might have heard it a million times but, if your psoriasis increases your risk for a heart problem, you need to make sure that you live a healthy lifestyle. This would mean planning your diet and making sure that you have a regular exercise regimen. Having food rich in Omega-3 fatty acid is a good idea.You might also want to cut down on your smoking.
2. Stress Management
Although studies have shown that stress is rarely the direct cause for a heart attack, it can still increase the risk for one. That being said, you need to make sure that you keep yourself calm in everyday situation. It is also wise to take a breather every now and then from the daily hustle and bustle of your world.
3. Readiness
If you are at risk for cardiac arrest or heart attack, you need to make sure that those around you would know what to do. This would include encouraging them to undergo CPR training or at least having an AED unit at home. At the very least, you should be able to teach them how to do a simple chest compression.
