Posted by 
Inflammatory arthritis-gout may worsen heart-related outcomes for people being treated for coronary artery disease. The buildup of uric acid can form needle-like crystals in a joint and cause sudden pain, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling, often in the big toe. But it’s also associated with a greater risk of kidney disease, diabetes, cancer and sleep apnea.
Researchers from Duke University studied data from more than 16,500 patients, including 1,406 who had gout at the start of the study and were being treated for cardiovascular risk factors. After following patients for an average of 6.4 years, researchers found that “in spite of aggressive medical therapy,” the gout was linked to worse outcomes and death.
Among patients who had gout at the beginning of the study or who developed it during follow-up, their risk of either dying of cardiovascular disease or having a heart attack or stroke was 15 percent higher than patients who never developed gout. Patients who had gout at any point during the study had a twofold increased risk of heart failure death compared to people who never developed gout.
While past research showed people with gout have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, many patients don’t even realize a link exists between gout and heart problems, patients with gout may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease even if they’re already treating them with all the standard therapies.
It’s unclear why gout might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress and inflammation may be responsible. People who have a high level of inflammation are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Gout is a disease that causes inflammation in the joints and in the body. It’s not just a pain in the toe, it affects other organs, too, including the heart.