Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who quit taking their prescribed statin drugs had a 79 per cent increased risk of death, a study by Vancouver, Montreal and Boston researchers shows.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in B.C. who quit taking their prescribed statin drugs had a 79 per cent increased risk of death, a study by Vancouver, Montreal and Boston researchers shows. “This is very hot news and all doctors treating rheumatoid arthritis need to know it,” said Dr. John Esdaile, the Vancouver-based rheumatologist who is scientific director of the Arthritis Research Centre ...

Title: Rheumatoid Arthritis Linked to Irregular Heartbeat Category: Health News Created: 3/9/2012 11:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 3/9/2012

Rheumatoid arthritis patients appear to have an increased risk for developing the irregular heart rhythm condition atrial fibrillation, which is strongly linked to stroke.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a crippling disease and is caused when the body#39;s own immune system attacks the joints and leads to chronic pain and inflammation. A team from Newcastle University funded by Arthritis Research UK have discovered an approach which could effectively prevents white blood cells from reaching the joints and causing more damage.