Heart attack and stroke risk is double for people with gout

Gout doubles the risk of heart attack and stroke, says research published in Rheumatology.

A large study tracked the health of over 205,000 people with gout using data spanning 50 years. Analysis of the data showed that those with gout are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke then those without gout.

Scientists believe the higher levels of uric acid that cause gout are a strong risk factor for heart attack and stroke too.

“This research reminds us that gout needs to be considered in a much broader context than just inflammatory arthritis,” says Dr Chris Deighton, president of the British Society for Rheumatology.

Gout is the most common inflammatory joint disease in the UK, affecting 1.5% of the population.

“The vast majority of care for gout takes place in primary care, and it is quite right that people with suspected gout contact their GP,” Dr Deighton says. “Patients and GPs need to know that gout is not only a highly curable form of arthritis, but these patients also need vigilance for their increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. High quality holistic care of people with gout may not only improve their quality of life, but also the quantity of years lived.”