Common Arthritis Medication Shows Potential to Lower Blood Pressure and Reduce Heart Disease Risk

Recent research suggests that methotrexate, a widely used drug for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), may have additional cardiovascular benefits. A study published in the Annals of Medicine by researchers from Flinders University and the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) has found that methotrexate can significantly lower systolic blood pressure in patients newly diagnosed with RA. This is an important discovery because high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

The study involved 62 adults who had just been diagnosed with RA and had not yet begun treatment. Participants were split into two groups: one received methotrexate, and the other was given sulfasalazine, another arthritis medication. Blood pressure, joint inflammation, and artery stiffness were measured at the start, after one month, and at six months. The researchers aimed to determine whether methotrexate could influence blood pressure levels.

Lead researcher Professor Arduino Mangoni explained that methotrexate lowered systolic blood pressure by an average of 7.4 mmHg compared to sulfasalazine. This reduction is considered clinically meaningful because even small decreases in blood pressure can significantly decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Interestingly, the blood pressure lowering effect did not seem to be related to improvements in arthritis symptoms or arterial stiffness, indicating that methotrexate might exert cardiovascular benefits through other mechanisms, such as reducing inflammation or improving blood vessel function.

The findings are particularly promising because they suggest that methotrexate might offer dual benefits: managing rheumatoid arthritis and protecting cardiovascular health. Additionally, genetic factors may influence how individuals respond to methotrexate, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies using genetic testing to identify patients who could benefit most from its blood pressure-lowering effects.

While more research is needed to fully understand how methotrexate reduces blood pressure and the long-term implications of this effect, experts are optimistic. Dr. Sara Tommasi from the same research team emphasizes that this medication, already well-established for RA, might also serve as a supplementary therapy for cardiovascular risk reduction, especially in patients with chronic inflammation. This discovery marks an exciting advancement in integrated approaches to managing autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases.

For further information, see the original study here.