VP, lupus can cause coronary artery disease, inflammation of the lining around the heart (pericarditis), inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis which can progress to weakening of the heart muscle, or congestive heart failure), valvular disease, pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmias, etc.

As @A MyLupusTeam Member points out, plaquenil, an excellent drug for us overall, can rarely cause heart toxicity. A yearly EKG and Echo are a good idea, especially for those who have been on the drug for over a few years or so. PLEASE also be sure your dose is no more than 5 mg/kg of your body weight. Steroids make us more prone to artery disease, so using as little as possible is important.

Taking excellent care of ourselves with a healthy diet and some exercise (if possible), BP, blood sugar, and cholesterol control all help.

I had an ECHO done this yr. All was good.

@TabathaLeutz--you're smart to be proactive, as we all must be!😊

Being a SLE patient, I've found that you have to be proactive in your Healthcare. Finding out that Lupus causes heart issues, I pushed to see a Cardiologist for yearly checkups especially when I noticed that my cholesterol was gradually going up. I was having little pains here and there in my chest and wanted to be safe. If you don't push, I've found that rheumatologist and pcp don't go the extra mile.

Morning my Lupies and team. I was told by my Rheumatoligist that, i have blood from my left ventricle seepkng back into.my heart..They are watching it carefully to see if i will need a referral to a Cardiologist, but jn spite if this news, i remain hopeful and trusting God to see me through.