A recent study published in The Journal of Rheumatology highlights a significant health concern for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The research indicates that patients with RA experience higher ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure compared to healthy controls, a finding that was not apparent from traditional office blood pressure measurements.

The study aimed to explore the relationship between RA and blood pressure, specifically focusing on whether immune activation might be driving elevated blood pressure levels. Researchers discovered that while office blood pressure readings were similar between RA patients and control participants, 24-hour and nocturnal systolic blood pressure (SBP) were notably higher in those with RA. This increase in blood pressure was found to be strongly correlated with inflammation.

The findings suggest that RA patients may be at an increased cardiovascular risk due to these elevated blood pressure levels, which could be linked to the chronic immune activation associated with their condition. This underscores the importance of monitoring blood pressure in RA patients beyond standard office visits to better manage and mitigate cardiovascular risks.