Resistant Hypertension in People with Lupus Associated with Higher Risk of Mortality
People with lupus have an elevated risk for developing heart disease, which includes high blood pressure. A new study compared risk of resistant hypertension (blood pressure that remains above goal despite treatment) in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and people without lupus to identify factors associated with the condition. The researchers found that resistant hypertension (RHTN) was nearly twice as prevalent in people with SLE. Factors associated with the condition were black race, lower renal function, hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) and increased inflammatory markers. Additionally, RHTN was associated with significantly higher mortality risk. The researchers concluded that people with lupus have higher risk of RHTN and the condition is an important comorbidity for clinicians to monitor in people with lupus because it is associated with a higher risk of death. Learn about lupus and heart health.