tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736662336401723172011-09-20T11:40:50.967-07:00News Updaternoreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273666233640172317.post-20688115311606348562011-09-04T01:40:00.001-07:002011-09-04T01:40:56.504-07:00<p class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">People with psoriasis have nearly three times the normal risk of stroke and abnormal heart rhythm, according to scientists in Denmark.</p> <p>A study of 4.5 million people, <a href="http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/08/12/eurheartj.ehr285.abstract">published in the European Heart Journal</a>, showed the highest risk was in young patients with severe psoriasis.</p> <p>Researchers believe this may be because the skin and blood vessels may share similar sources of inflammation. </p> <p>The Stroke Association said this should not be an immediate cause for concern.</p> <span class="cross-head">Super fast</span> <p>Skin cells are normally replaced every three to four weeks but, in patients with psoriasis, that process can be greatly speeded up.</p> <p>It can take between just two and six days, resulting in red, flaky, crusty patches on the skin. </p> <p>The condition affects 2% of people in the UK and the cause is unknown. </p> <p>Researchers analysed data from everyone in Denmark between 1997 and 2006 - 36,765 had mild psoriasis and 2,793 had the severe form of the condition.</p> <p>In patients under 50 with mild psoriasis, the risk of abnormal heart rhythm - atrial fibrillation - increased by 50%. The risk of ischaemic stroke increased by 97%.</p> <p>In those with severe psoriasis, the risks increased by 198% and 180% respectively.</p> <p>The increased risks for patients over the age of 50 were much smaller.</p> <span class="cross-head">Inflammation</span> <p>The researchers said: "The relative risks of atrial fibrillation and ischaemic stroke were highest in young patients with severe psoriasis.</p> <p>"The results add to accumulating evidence that patients with psoriasis are at increased cardiovascular risk."</p> <p>The study can say only that there is a link between psoriasis and increased risk, not that one causes the other. </p> <p>Psoriasis in an inflammatory disorder caused when the immune system attacks healthy skin cells, which stimulates the production of new skin. </p> <p>Researchers believe the inflammation may play a role in stroke and heart problems.</p> <p>Dr Sharlin Ahmed, research liaison officer at The Stroke Association said: "Previous research has shown that psoriasis could increase a person's risk of heart disease and this research seems to suggest that it could also increase a person's risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke. </p> <p>"However, the reasons for this are not known. Psoriasis is a very common condition and the results of this research should not be an immediate cause for concern.</p> <p>"Anyone concerned about their stroke risk should speak to their GP."</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/273666233640172317-2068811531160634856?l=idigworms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>News Updaternoreply@blogger.com0