Heart Failure in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Clinical Implications

This review focuses on the association between RA and heart failure, highlighting the role of inflammation and the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in this population.

The incidence of heart failure in RA patients is two to three times higher than in the general population, with inflammation playing a significant role independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. HFpEF accounts for about half of heart failure cases and is increasingly recognized in RA patients, although it remains underdiagnosed. Atypical presentations and non-specific symptoms further complicate diagnosis. Early control of inflammation has been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure development and progression, improving both morbidity and mortality outcomes.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 1% of the population, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of premature death in these patients.