Inflammation and heart attack link

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inflammation and heart attack link

Polyarteritis Nodosa Polyarteritis nodosa is a chronic

inflammatory vascular disease which is strongly

suspected of having an underlying autoimmune factor.

It causes an inflammation of the arteries resulting in

damage to the walls of the arteries, thus creating a

narrowing of the vessels. This may result in lack of

blood supply to tissues, possible formation of blood

clots (thrombosis), and weakening, ballooning

(aneurysm), or possible rupture of vessel walls. The

disease can occur by itself or in conjunction with

other autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, rheumatoid

arthritis, Wegener's, or giant cells arteritis.

Polyarteritis nodosa may also be referred to as

periarteritis or polyarteritis. The exact cause of

polyarteritis is not known. There is a possibility of

bacterial or viral infection as being the cause.

Allergic reactions and vaccines have been linked to

the disorder. Autoimmune diseases related to

polyarteritis are Wegener's granulomatosis,

Churg-Strauss syndrome, Takayasu's arteritis, and

temporal or giant cell arteritis. For more information

on polyarteritis nodosa or other autoimmune disorders,

please click on the request information icon below.

Information provided at this web site is of a general

nature and is not intended to take the place of a

physician's adivice It is vital that persons diagnosed

with, or suspected of having, an autoimmune disease

consult with their physician or with the appropriate

division at a major teaching hospital, to assure

proper evaluation, treatment and interpretation of

information contained on this site.