Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

In lupus patients, the coronary arteries can become narrowed or blocked, this is known as coronary artery disease, & can lead to chest pain & heart attack.
Inflammation of the artery wall, known as arteritis, can lead to narrowing of the coronary arteries.

The narrowing can also be due to cholesterol deposits in the artery wall, known as atherosclerosis, or blood clots.

People with lupus who take steroids have a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Coronary artery disease can be prevented by controlling the activity of lupus, monitoring steroid use, & controlling cardiac risk factors (reduce fat intake, take exercise, etc).