Psoriasis attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation that leads to plaques and other skin changes, explains Kevin R. Campbell, MD, an internist and cardiologist with Cano Health in Florida. This may also pose problems for your heart.

Psoriasis increases inflammation throughout the body, including the cardiovascular system. “Chronic inflammation has long been associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke,” Dr. Campbell says. That’s because inflammation can damage arteries. This results in the formation of blockages or plaques (different from psoriasis skin plaques) inside the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. A review of research studies published in February 2018 in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science concluded that people with psoriasis have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease With Psoriasis

While you may not be able to control when you have a psoriasis flare or whether the attack will be mild or severe, there are steps you can take to both manage your psoriasis and protect your heart health. “If you have psoriasis, you not only need to treat the symptoms of the skin disorder but also change your lifestyle to adhere to a daily program that will minimize your risk of cardiovascular problems,” says Steven Victor, MD, a dermatologist and the director of Victor Regenerative Medical Centers in New York City and Dubai. Follow these steps to help you both manage psoriasis symptoms and prevent heart disease.

Eat a Healthy Diet

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), diet can’t cure or prevent psoriasis. But it can reduce psoriasis symptoms and the risk of comorbidities, including heart disease. For example, one study published in December 2020 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that people with psoriasis who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of heart disease. The NPF and the American Heart Association both recommend following a heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory diet. This includes eating fatty fish, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. It also means limiting alcohol, sodium, processed foods, and trans-fats (found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils).

Get Moving

A sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight gain that can impact both your psoriasis symptoms and your heart health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity (like brisk walking) every week, or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity (like jogging or swimming). That’s somewhere around three to five 30-minute workout sessions per week. The CDC also recommends incorporating full-body strength training into your exercise routine two or more days per week. To help you get moving, the NPF offers these tips:

Pick an activity you enjoy, so you’re less likely to lose interest. If you do lose interest, try something else.Break it up. For example, take three 10-minute walks each day.When watching TV, sit on the floor and do stretches or walk around the room during commercials.Walk as much as possible. Don’t take the closest parking spot: Park farther away to fit in extra steps.Opt to take the stairs over using the elevator as often as you can.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is known to increase the risk for heart disease. It also increases the risk of having psoriasis flares, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Many people struggle to stop smoking. The CDC recommends combining medications with counseling to give you the best chances of quitting for good. Check out the CDC’s website for more resources, including free confidential coaching at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Keep an Open Dialogue With Your Care Team

Your healthcare providers are looking out for your best interests. Regular checkups are critical, says Dr. Victor. Your doctor can monitor your heart health during regular checkups by taking blood pressure readings and checking your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, Dr. Victor explains. This is also your chance to report any health changes you’ve noticed or ask questions about treatment options.

Take Your Psoriasis Treatment as Prescribed

It’s possible that your psoriasis treatment itself could have heart-protecting benefits. An observational study published in March 2019 in the journal Cardiovascular Research found that biologic drugs used to treat psoriasis may reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Biologic drugs suppress an overactive immune system, which reduces the inflammation that causes psoriasis symptoms. The resulting reduction in inflammation also appears to reduce plaque buildup in the blood vessels that leads to heart problems including stroke and heart attack. In people with psoriasis, systemic treatments reduce tumor necrosis factor-alpha, or TNF-a, a protein that signals inflammation, explains Victor. A reduction in inflammation in the body from these drugs may also reduce the risk of heart attacks and other heart problems. Additional reporting by Colleen de Bellefonds