Living with lupus for 6 years alongside arthritis is a real journey, and it's smart to keep an eye on things like cholesterol!
High cholesterol isn't a direct symptom of lupus, but it is closely connected. Lupus causes chronic inflammation throughout the body, which can damage blood vessels and contribute to a buildup of Show Full Answer
Living with lupus for 6 years alongside arthritis is a real journey, and it's smart to keep an eye on things like cholesterol!
High cholesterol isn't a direct symptom of lupus, but it is closely connected. Lupus causes chronic inflammation throughout the body, which can damage blood vessels and contribute to a buildup of plaques inside arteries — a process called atherosclerosis. This can raise cholesterol-related risks significantly. There are a few reasons why people with lupus may see higher cholesterol levels:
- Chronic inflammation from lupus can affect how the body processes fats in the blood
- Corticosteroids (a common lupus treatment) can raise cholesterol as a side effect
- Kidney involvement (lupus nephritis) can also disrupt cholesterol regulation
People with lupus are already at a higher risk of heart disease — about 2.2 times more likely to develop cardiovascular issues compared to those without lupus. So keeping tabs on cholesterol is genuinely important.
It's worth bringing this up with your rheumatologist, who may want to monitor your cholesterol levels regularly or refer you to a cardiologist if needed.
June 17
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