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Health: Your Skin May Predict Your Risk For A Heart Attack

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Can your skin predict your risk for a heart attack? Some local studies say it can. 3 On Your Side Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl is here with the warning.

It can be embarrassing. Alexandra Strauss avoided looking at herself in the mirror, even pull up her hair.

"It was an awful situation. Wearing a bathing suit in the summer was terrible, always felt like I needed to cover up," said Alexandra.

The 29-year-old has been battling severe psoriasis for years. It's an inflammatory skin condition that can cause red, scaly patches.

"It just progressively just became worse, and worse, and worse. It began to spread, arms, stomach, back, behind my neck, my ears," said Alexandra.

To her surprise, Alexandra now has to see a cardiologist because of her skin problem.

"People with severe psoriasis are at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, as well dying from cardiovascular disease," said Dr. Nehal Mehta, the Director of the nation's first Inflammatory Risk Clinic at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

"These patients had any where between 50 and 60 percent increase for these outcomes," said Dr. Mehta.

Now he monitors psoriasis patients like Alexandra, for heart problems. His research shows patients with the skin condition often have abnormal cholesterol and glucose levels and an earlier build up of plaque in the arteries.

"We still don't know why. Much research is needed to figure out exactly what this link is," said Dr. Mehta.

So far, Alexandra's heart is in good condition. And her skin is clearing up, thanks to weekly injections of the psoriasis drug Enbrel.

"I just want to keep it where it is. Hopefully with the medication, with everything, hopefully it will keep it under control," said Alexandra.

Dr. Mehta recommends that people with psoriasis get regular health screenings.

For more information on the Penn Psoriasis Study, CLICK HERE.

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