Hypertensive patients with psoriasis may need cardiovascular interventions

Washington: Psoriasis, a skin disease, is linked with increased risks of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, but its effect on the course of cardiovascular diseases remains unknown.

According to a study conducted at the National Taiwan University Hospital and published in the Journal of Dermatology, patients with hypertension and psoriasis more often require cardiovascular procedures and surgeries than hypertensive patients without psoriasis.

"Our study alerts physicians to the likelihood that, compared with general hypertensive patients, with concurrent hypertension and psoriasis will likely require more intensive assessment for cardiovascular interventions and a more aggressive hypertensive regimen to achieve adequate control," said senior author Dr. Tsen-Fang Tsai.

The results suggested that hypertensive patients with concurrent psoriasis experience an earlier and more aggressive disease progression of hypertension, compared with general hypertensive patients.