Can Sjogren's affect your heart?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 24, 2026
A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort analysis of Sjögren's did show an increase in heart disease, even after adjusting for age, sex, co-morbid conditions: and medications (Wu 2018). The risk of heart disease increased by 4% per year over the 12 years examined.
What heart problems does Sjogren's cause?
It can cause heart failure, pulmonary edema, irregular heart beat, and even sudden death. The study included 47 patients previously diagnosed with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (PSS). 'Primary' means that the patient does not have any other conditions affecting their immune system.
Can Sjogren's cause AFIB?
[8] also reported a case of Sjögren's syndrome that presented with acute quadriparesis, bulbar weakness, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular ectopics due to hypokalemic dRTA. Severe hypokalemia may rarely cause sudden life-threatening paralysis [6–10].
What organs can sjogrens affect?
Sjögren's syndrome can also affect other body organ systems. These organs include the skin, joints, muscles, blood, lung, heart, kidney, and nerves.
Can Sjogren's cause heart block?
In summary, congenital heart block is a common occurrence in offspring of mothers affected with Sjögren Syndrome.
30 related questions foundWhat causes fetal heart block?
Symptoms and Causes
Heart block usually develops between 18 and 30 weeks of pregnancy. In most cases, the cause is not known, but babies of mothers with lupus or other autoimmune diseases, or babies with congenital heart disorders, are at higher risk. Also, a tumor on the baby's heart can cause heart block.
What drugs make sjogrens worse?
Common medications that can cause sicca symptoms in any age group include antidepressants, anticholinergics, beta blockers, diuretics, and antihistamines. Anxiety can also lead to sicca symptoms. Women who use hormone replacement therapy may be at increased risk of dry eye syndrome.
What should I avoid with Sjogren's syndrome?
Individuals who experience severe xerostomia tend to avoid crunchy foods such as raw vegetables, dry or tough foods such as meats and breads, and sticky foods such as peanut butter. Xerostomia can also affect dental health.
What is the best medicine for Sjogren's syndrome?
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), a drug designed to treat malaria, is often helpful in treating Sjogren's syndrome. Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate (Trexall), also might be prescribed.
Can sjogrens make you breathless?
Symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome with ILD may include: Feeling very tired when going about your normal day. Shortness of breath, especially with mild physical activity. Dry cough that doesn't go away.
Can Sjogren's cause tachycardia?
The hallmark symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome are dry eyes and dry mouth. However, these symptoms may not be the first or the only symptoms you develop. In fact, in some patients, the first symptom of Sjӧgren's may be autonomic neuropathy, which may present as postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
Can sjogrens cause chest pain?
Your doctor will look out for symptoms such as extreme tiredness, fever, lack of energy and difficulty concentrating. This may indicate that you have one of these conditions. Occasionally, scar tissue can form in the lungs, causing breathlessness, a dry cough and chest pain.
How does sjogrens affect blood pressure?
Results: Compared with controls, pSS patients had significantly lower baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) (114 ± 13 vs. 127 ± 20; P = 0.02), which dropped to a significantly lower value (98 ± 22 vs.
How does Sjogren's affect the lungs?
The pulmonary manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome include airway abnormalities, interstitial lung disease (ILD) and lymphoproliferative disorders (table 1). Lung involvement occurs in ∼9–20% of patients. Subclinical lung disease is even more frequent, including small airway disease and airway inflammation [5].
Can sjogrens cause a stroke?
Conclusions: Sjögren's syndrome should be considered among the causes of stroke, especially in a young female patient.
Does sjogrens get progressively worse?
Symptoms are mild in most people but can be very severe in others. Symptoms can vary over time and may improve, worsen, or even go away completely for periods.
What happens if Sjogren's is left untreated?
Sjogren's comes with serious complications if left untreated, including: an increased risk of lymphoma and multiple myeloma. oral yeast infections. dental cavities.
What does Plaquenil do for sjogrens?
Immunosuppressive Medications
These medications work by curbing an overactive immune system, thereby decreasing inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe a mild medication first, such as hydroxychloroquine, sold as Plaquenil®.
What vitamins help with Sjogren's?
Herbs and Supplements for Sjogren's syndrome
- Cysteine.
- Evening Primrose.
- Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
- Omega-6 Fatty Acids.
- Sulfur.
How does sjogrens make you feel?
Sjogren's Syndrome patients often complain of mental fatigue or “brain fog.” Brain fog impairs focus, causes fuzzy concentration, and contributes to difficulty in problem-solving. Keep your stress levels low, and give your brain a workout with crosswords, puzzles, reading, adult coloring books, or online brain games.
Does Sjogren's affect your feet?
A small percentage of people with Sjogren's syndrome develop cancer of the lymph nodes (lymphoma). Nerves. You might develop numbness, tingling and burning in your hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy).
How do you stop Sjogren's progression?
Eat well and often. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet is one of the ways to reduce Sjogren's syndrome flares and provide adequate nutrition, thereby reducing fatigue. Ensure that your diet consists of food with high fiber, healthy fats, and spices such as garlic, ginger, and turmeric.
What triggers a Sjogren's flare up?
Autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome are highly likely to be triggered by environmental factors such as pollution, infections, certain medications, diet, and allergy-causing agents. Make a note of potential environmental triggers, and try to steer clear of them as much as possible.
What is Sjogren's arthritis?
Sjögren's syndrome occurs in two basic forms: primary Sjögren's syndrome -- the disease by itself and not associated with any other illness; and secondary Sjögren's syndrome -- disease that develops in the presence of another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or vasculitis.
Can a heart block go away?
Heart block occurs when the electrical signal is slowed down or does not reach the bottom chambers of the heart. Your heart may beat slowly, or it may skip beats. Heart block may resolve on its own, or it may be permanent and require treatment.