Yesterdays News

I was reading yesterdays news http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/news-273640-31.html about "Rheumatoid Arthritis a Threat to the Heart, Greater risk of heart attack, and more complications later, studies find. It seems that a condition called diastolic dysfunction, which causes the lower chambers of the heart to become stiff, is the culprit. Diastolic dysfunction impairs the ability of the ventricles to fill with blood and can lead to heart failure, the researchers said." Now this might seem like bad news to you but I find it good news. It lets me know who the enemy is and by knowing that, I can make a plan. In the past (my short few week of being diaganoised) I have been reading alot on line about RA and shorten life span do to heart failure and sudden death. Most things said even with all the advances in medicine people with RA still are not living a nomal life span. Some things said as much as 10 to 15 years. At my age, I don't want to hear that. My husband gets mad if I even talk about that possiblity. It also said normal preventive medicines did not seem to be reducing heart attacks in people with RA. I have been working on trying to get myself heart healthy for the last 10 years without much progress. In fact with age I seem to be getting worse. I am obesed, with high cholesterol, blood pressure, high blood sugar, and now RA. My father also had his first heart attack at 32 and died at 52. I am 52 now. The good news (or not) is my insurance company now that I have RA recognised that I could cost them some money. It seems they want to put me on a program to help me get healthy. Is anyone on Atena's Disease Management program? I don't know if it is a good thing or not? I don't trust insurance companies. I do want more than just my joints cared for. I have very high titers for RF (247) and CCP (190) I know my disease is agressive. I don't seem to be worried about medication, or disability at this point.