I have discussed here more than once the increased risk of death in rheumatoid arthritis patients when compared to healthy individuals. Interestingly, one-third to one-half of premature deaths in rheumatoid arthritis is due to cardiovascular disease; and it appears that inflammation plays a large role in the hardening of the arteries seen in atherosclerosis. A good sense of the magnitude of the role of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis is important because inflammation plays such...