Multiple Sclerosis and Heart Disease

Last Updated on December 5, 2023 by Cathy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease caused by chronic inflammation. It’s tough living with MS and all its unpredictable symptoms. Such as numbness, tingling, balance issues, and much more. Did you realize having multiple sclerosis puts you at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease?

The exact connection between multiple sclerosis and heart disease is not fully understood. Adopting heart-healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, can contribute to better overall well-being.

Even if your cholesterol levels are good you can still have a heart attack or stroke. The exact reason is unknown but it’s probably due to sedentary behavior. Because of balance and walking issues, people with MS are less active. Even less active than healthy sedentary individuals. People with MS also have a shorter life expectancy due to cardiovascular disease.

A better indicator of heart disease and inflammation is a C-reactive protein (CRP) test. CRP is a protein produced by the liver that’s found in your blood. CRP increases in response to hidden inflammation or infection in the body. This test is a good indicator for bacterial and fungal infections, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases.

There are three levels of CRP:

1. Low risk: less than 1.0 mg/L
2. Average risk: 1.0-3.0 mg/L
3. High risk: above 3.0 mg/L

It’s best to be below 1.0 mg/L for women and below 0.55 mg/L for men. A higher level is a red flag that there’s a problem even if there are no visible symptoms. Knowing your CRP puts you in a position where you can take steps to lower it.

Getting Tested

To get tested talk to your doctor, you will also need to have a blood test. I recently had a standard CRP test using an online lab. I was able to order it without a doctor’s note, then went to a local lab for the blood draw. It’s very easy to use and it costs less money than going to my doctor and using my insurance. The standard CRP test is what my doctor recommended, not the high-sensitivity test.

Although, the high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) test is what Dr. Terry Wahls uses. The difference is a standard CRP test looks for very high levels of inflammation. The highly sensitive test detects levels also associated with the narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup. The American Heart Association recommends the hs-CRP over cholesterol testing. Especially for people at a higher risk of heart disease.

I’ve been working with a functional medical doctor to get my MS to reverse. Also to get my Candida overgrowth under control. My DNA test showed I was at a higher risk for heart disease., which had me a little concerned.

As you can see in the picture below, my result showed up as 1.7 mg/L. This is in the normal range which is good for cardiovascular disease. However, I would like to be below 1.0 mg/L which is the low risk, so I have a little more work to do.

If you’re on one of the interferons and taking NSAIDs due to the flu-like side effects it will lower the test results. According to PubMed higher levels of CRP correlate with faster progression of MS.

I get a lot of blood work and lab work and I used to be so unorganized and I’d forget where I kept them. Now, I keep track by adding to my blood work and lab records log and keep it in a folder. Now it’s easy to look up my records to compare with my new records. I’ve included how you can get this form too at the bottom of this post.

Cigarette Smoking

Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, cancer, and MS. It’s one of the environmental risk factors, along with vitamin D deficiency, linked to the onset of MS. More people with MS smoke than people in the general population. Even second-hand smoke increases a person’s risk for these diseases.

Smokers experience more severe MS symptoms with greater disability. Cognitive impairment is more severe with cigarette smoking. More enhancing lesions show up on MRIs in smokers compared to non-smokers. Smoking correlates to a higher level of disability.

Stress

The impact of stress on heart disease and multiple sclerosis is substantial. Studies have revealed that stress elevates CRP levels, leading to heightened inflammation. Additionally, stress contributes to harmful gut bacteria and the overgrowth of yeast, specifically Candida. Recognizing chronic stress as a potent toxin is crucial, as it has the potential to significantly hinder your overall health progress.

I went through a period of daily chronic stress from my job. It was not only mentally exhausting it took its toll on my MS. After years of dealing with stress, my walking abilities became worse. Every time I would get stressed I could feel my ankles and knees becoming extremely stiff. This would make it very difficult to walk. On one of those extremely stressful days, I fell and broke my elbow due to the stiffness. (I no longer work at that job.)

It’s impossible to avoid all stress but it’s extremely important to learn how to manage stress. If possible step away from the stressful situation for a moment. Try deep breathing, meditation, going for a walk, or listening to your favorite music. Sometimes you have to do something drastic like quit your job.

Higher Mortality Rate

People with MS have a higher mortality rate compared to the general population. Studies revealed people with MS have a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, or heart failure. But you can do something to prevent this by removing the risk factors.

Risk factors:

• Smoking
• Overweight
• Poor diet
• Bad cholesterol
• High CRP levels
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Stress
• Systemic inflammation

How to Lower CRP Levels

To help lower your CRP level reduce as much inflammation as possible. You may need to talk to your doctor or functional medical provider for extra help. Here are some tips to help lower your CRP level:

• Avocados
• B vitamins
• Blueberries
• Cut out sugar
• Eat a nutrient-dense diet
• Herbs – turmeric, ginger
• Keep moving
• Manage stress
• Omega 3
• Sleep – at least 8 hours
• Stay hydrated

Keep Moving

To lower your risk of heart disease it’s important to stay active, even if you’re wheelchair-bound. Exercising keeps your heart and blood pumping to supply oxygen throughout your body.

As you’re healing it’s important not to do strenuous exercises. Excess exercising can weaken the adrenaline glands and your immune system. Instead, try exercises such as walking, yoga, and stretching.

If you haven’t heard of OptimalBody Personal Fitness, I highly recommend them. It’s an online gym for MS, the owner also has MS so he knows which exercises work. It helps with spasticity, drop foot, balance, and much more. They even help people who are wheelchair-bound. 

Multiple Sclerosis and Heart Disease

Incorporating heart-healthy habits into your daily routine, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, can positively impact your overall well-being. Protect yourself from heart disease by maintaining a healthy weight and keeping an eye on your blood pressure, especially since you have multiple sclerosis.

When working with your healthcare team, ensure they consider both the neurological and cardiovascular aspects of your health to create a comprehensive care plan tailored to your needs. Ongoing research is shedding light on the complex relationship between multiple sclerosis and heart disease, offering hope for more personalized interventions to enhance your overall health outcomes.

Don’t let heart disease become a problem for you. Take care of yourself, eat healthy, stay positive, and keep moving!

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Multiple Sclerosis and Heart Disease