Is Your Rheumatic Disease Silently Attacking Your Heart? Know the Risks and Preventive Steps

An Insight from Dr. Shaji Raj’s 33 Years of Clinical Experience

When we talk about rheumatic diseases, the focus is almost always on joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Very rarely does anyone — including some doctors — mention the silent but serious danger these diseases pose to your heart.

Many times, even doctors forget to mention that “rheumatic disease causes risk to the heart.” Even though patients often focus on relieving joint pain, they hardly do anything to prevent damage to the heart caused by rheumatic disease. But this neglect comes at a cost. Do you know about this hidden risk? Let’s understand.

How a Rheumatic Disease Quietly Damages Your Heart

Rheumatic diseases are often the result of disturbances in the immune system. Your body’s immune power, instead of protecting you, mistakenly attacks your own tissues — this is called autoimmune disease.

This is the root cause of many problems. This internal “bomb” — your own defence system — starts destroying the heart and blood vessels, triggering low-grade, chronic inflammation in the body.

This constant, silent inflammation acts like a slow-burning fire or smoking, slowly causing dysfunction in the blood vessel lining (endothelium). Over time, this leads to the formation of plaques inside the arteries.

For some people, this process results in blockages in the heart.

The second problem is that oxidized LDL (bad cholesterol) — the most dangerous type — becomes more common in such patients.

The third problem is that the valves in the heart can become stiff and damaged, disturbing the normal flow of blood.

The fourth problem is blockage or constriction outside the heart, particularly in the pericardium (the protective layer surrounding the heart).

The fifth problem is heart failure caused by damage to the heart muscles due to ongoing inflammation.

A Risk Equivalent to Diabetes — But Often Ignored

Do you know what doctors often forget to tell you?
A person with rheumatic disease carries the same risk of heart disease as a diabetic person. Yes — the risk is equally dangerous.

But here lies the key difference:
A diabetic person is usually advised to undergo heart screening at regular intervals — like ECG, echocardiograms, or stress tests — to detect early signs of heart involvement.

But what about a person with rheumatic disease?
Sadly, such patients are rarely told to check their heart health, unless symptoms become obvious. Most do not undergo routine screening — and this ignorance makes the danger worse.

So, if you are someone living with a rheumatic condition — please be aware:
Your risk to the heart is similar to that of a diabetic patient — you should proactively check for heart-related issues, even if you feel no obvious symptoms.

What Should You Do to Protect Your Heart?

If you are a person with rheumatic disease, here are four important steps you must not ignore:

1. Talk to Your Doctor:
   Ask: “Is it time for me to test my heart?” Depending on your case, ECG or other heart tests may be necessary — even if you don’t have chest pain or breathlessness yet.
2. Adopt an Anti-inflammatory Lifestyle:
   • Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like flaxseeds, fish).
   • Avoid ultra-processed, sugary foods that fuel inflammation.
   • Practice daily exercise to maintain vascular health.
   • Get restful sleep every night, which helps calm immune overactivity.
3. Take Immunosuppressants as Prescribed:
   These medications not only control joint symptoms but also reduce heart disease risk by calming autoimmune-driven inflammation.
4. Never Hesitate to Get Checked if You Experience:
   • Unusual swelling
   • Water retention in legs
   • Fatigue that seems impossible to explain
   • Chest discomfort or signs suggestive of a heart attack

Such symptoms may point towards silent heart involvement — and early detection can save lives.

What Does Ayurveda Say About This Silent Danger?

In Ayurveda, diseases are not isolated to a single part of the body. A disease like rheumatoid arthritis, called ‘Aamavata’, is said to originate from digestive toxins (Ama) that circulate and lodge in tissues like joints and blood vessels — including those of the heart. This aligns with modern observations that chronic inflammation damages arteries.

Ayurvedic practice recommends:
✅ Balancing Vata and Pitta doshas (responsible for circulation and inflammation)
✅ Using herbs like Turmeric and Ashwagandha to reduce systemic inflammation
✅ Supporting heart health with Rasayana therapy (rejuvenation), dietary regulation, and Yoga

At Punarjanis Life Sciences, Chennai, we combine these time-tested approaches with modern screening to help detect and prevent such hidden dangers.

Punarjanis Life Sciences — Your Partner in Preventive Heart Care

In my 33 years of treating chronic patients, I have seen that early awareness and holistic action — not just joint care — saves lives. At Punarjanis, we offer:

✔️ Pulse diagnosis (Nadi Pariksha) to detect early cardiac stress
✔️ Personalized Arka medicines that reduce inflammation
✔️ Diet and lifestyle corrections to cleanse Ama and strengthen immunity
✔️ Therapies that protect both joints and cardiovascular health

Listen to Your Body Before It’s Too Late

If you have any form of rheumatic disease, please remember:
Your heart may be silently suffering — just like in diabetes — unless you actively care for it.

Seek timely guidance. Choose integrated care. Visit Punarjanis Life Sciences — where Ayurveda meets modern science to offer comprehensive, preventive solutions.

Book your consultation today — protect not only your joints but also your heart.

📞 For appointments, call: +91 95000 01177
🌐 Website: www.punarjanis.com
📩 Email: info@punarjanis.com