5. Arthritis increases your odds for heart disease
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can harm one joint or multiple joints and there are more than 100 different types of arthritis, all with different causes and treatment methods. If you notice joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, see your doctor because they all are symptoms of arthritis.
However, you may deal with more than just an inflammation of one joint. This medical condition can hurt your heart by contributing to chronic inflammation, reducing physical activity, and increasing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use—all factors in cardiovascular risk, says Dr. Colvin.
Researchers estimate that OA increases your odds for heart disease by 24 percent and psoriatic, or rheumatoid arthritis boost the odds even higher.
