Does Sjögren's Syndrome Increase Heart Disease Risk?

Yes, having Primary Sjögren’s syndrome does increase your risk for developing heart disease and experiencing cardiovascular events like heart attacks ^[1][2]. This increased risk exists independently of traditional risk factors like age, weight, or smoking history ^[1][3]. While this can sound alarming, understanding the connection between autoimmune disease and your heart empowers you to take proactive steps to protect your cardiovascular health.

The Link Between Inflammation and Your Arteries

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome is a systemic disease, meaning it can affect your entire body, not just your moisture-producing glands. The underlying cause of this widespread effect is chronic, low-grade inflammation.

Over time, constant inflammation circulating in your bloodstream—particularly involving an inflammatory protein called Type I interferon—can irritate the inner lining of your blood vessels ^[4][5]. This ongoing irritation makes it easier for cholesterol and other substances to stick to the vessel walls, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis (a hardening and narrowing of the arteries) ^[4].

Studies have found that patients with Sjögren’s syndrome have a higher rate of subclinical atherosclerosis ^[6][2]. “Subclinical” means that plaque is slowly building up in the arteries before any physical symptoms of heart disease appear ^[6]. In fact, research suggests that the risk of early vascular damage in Sjögren’s syndrome may be comparable to the risk seen in people with type 2 diabetes ^[6][2]. However, exactly like diabetes, this risk is heavily modifiable with proper management.

How Your Medications Might Play a Role

While treating the inflammation of Sjögren’s is essential, some of the medications commonly used to manage flare-ups and joint pain can influence your heart health. Specifically, the frequent or long-term systemic use of corticosteroids (such as prednisone) and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen or naproxen) has been associated with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease ^[7][8].

This does not mean you should stop taking your medications. Never stop taking corticosteroids abruptly without your doctor’s supervision, as doing so can cause a life-threatening adrenal crisis. Rather, it highlights why your rheumatologist and primary care doctor must work together to find the lowest effective dose of these medications to manage your symptoms while minimizing cardiovascular risks ^[8].

Taking Proactive Steps: Your Heart Health Checklist

Because Sjögren’s syndrome acts as an independent risk factor for heart disease ^[1][9], proactive cardiovascular care should be a core part of your long-term health management strategy. Do not wait for heart symptoms to appear; instead, focus on aggressive monitoring and management of the risk factors you can control:

• Monitor Your Blood Pressure: High blood pressure puts extra strain on your blood vessels. Have it checked at every doctor’s appointment and consider tracking it at home.
• Check Your Cholesterol and Blood Sugar: Ask your primary care doctor for an annual lipid panel to measure your LDL (“bad” cholesterol), HDL (“good” cholesterol), and triglycerides, along with a fasting blood glucose or HbA1c test for metabolic health.
• Discuss Advanced Screenings: Because plaque buildup can happen silently, ask your primary care doctor or a cardiologist if you might benefit from specialized screenings, such as a carotid ultrasound or a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, to check for early signs of atherosclerosis.
• Manage Lifestyle Factors: Prioritizing a heart-healthy diet and avoiding smoking can significantly lower your overall risk profile. For physical activity, respect the limitations of your disease—focus on gentle, joint-friendly movement tailored to your daily energy levels, rather than pushing through severe fatigue or pain.
• Know the Warning Signs: Even with proactive care, always seek immediate medical attention if you experience acute cardiovascular symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or unexplained jaw or arm pain.