Psoriatic Arthritis
Managing related conditions
Source: NHS
In this topic (7)
As with psoriasis and other types of inflammatory arthritis, you may be more likely to get some otherconditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) if you have psoriatic arthritis. CVD isthe termfor conditionsof the heart or blood vessels, such as heart disease and stroke .
Your doctor should carry out tests each year (such as blood pressure and cholesterol tests) sothey cancheck whether you have CVD and offer additional treatment, if necessary.
You can also help yourself by:
- having a good balance between rest and regular physical activity
- losing weight, if you are overweight
- not smoking
- only drinking moderate amounts of alcohol
Your care team
As well asyour GP and a rheumatologist, you may also be cared for by:
- a specialist nurse who will often be your first point of contact with your specialist care team
- a dermatologist (skin specialist) who will be responsible for treating your psoriasis symptoms
- a physiotherapist who can devise an exercise plan to keep your joints mobile
- an occupational therapist who can identify any problems you have in everyday activities and find ways to overcome or manage these
- a psychologist who can offer psychological support if you need it
