Heart health matters

Research shows that people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke because of ongoing inflammation and other related health factors.

Keeping your heart healthy is therefore an important part of managing psoriatic disease, alongside treating your skin and joints. As National Heart Month 2026 starts, it is a good time to remind people of what you can do to help yourself.

There are simple steps you can take that fit around everyday life, such as being more active in ways that suit your mobility, eating a balanced diet, not smoking, and keeping an eye on your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. If you live with pain or fatigue, even short bursts of movement, pacing activities and building routines gradually can still be helpful.

So for this month, as you see the topic of heart health raised, PAPAA is encouraging anyone with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis to talk to their GP, dermatologist or rheumatology team about their overall risk, ask about regular checks (such as blood pressure and cholesterol), and seek support if you want to make lifestyle changes. By looking after your heart as well as your psoriatic disease, you can give yourself the best chance of staying well in the long term.

Read our psoriasis and the heart information.