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Heart attacks, strokes & blood clots

Lupus, the Heart and Blood Vessels

Lupus, the Heart and Blood Vessels

June 26, 2024

Lupus can significantly impact the heart and blood vessels, known as the cardiovascular system. Understanding the relationship between lupus and cardiovascular health is essential for comprehensive disease management and improving patient outcomes. Lupus, a complex autoimmune disease, is known for

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Medication blister packet

Heparin versus Warfarin for Lupus

October 4, 2023

Lupus can cause blood clots in many different ways. In addition, lupus patients are at higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, drugs that thin out the blood (anticoagulants) are often needed. Heparin and warfarin are two examples.

Donald Thomas, MD author of The Lupus Encyclopedia for Gastrointestinal symptoms in lupus blog post

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Dr. Don Thomas, MD

I am Dr. Donald Thomas, MD, a rheumatologist treating hundreds of lupus patients for over 30 years. Read my first blog post here to understand why I started this website and blog about “The Lupus Encyclopedia” and “The Lupus Secrets”.

Dr. Don Thomas also enjoys educating and empowering doctors, medical students, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and patients.

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Dry Eyes and Lupus: Eye Doctor Tips and Tricks

Dry eyes are very common in lupus patients, especially those with Sjogren’s disease. Around 25 to 30% of
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Lupus and Vaccines: Shingles, Shingrix, and Zostavax

Knowing how lupus and vaccines interact is important since infections are one of the top two causes of
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Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease: It Is Real! (October 2024 Update)

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is one of the most common rheumatologic diagnoses. Many systemic lupus patients start
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COVID Vaccine for Immunocompromised Patients and What Drugs to Stop [December 2023 UPDATE]

The American College of Rheumatology Provides Guidance for stopping drugs to enhance the COVID vaccine for immunocompromised patients
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Bisphosphonate Drugs and Lupus

Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, affects multiple organs and systems in the body, including the skeletal system. One
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Can You Have Lupus With a Negative ANA Test? “Yes you can!” (October 2024 Update)

Protect yourself from medical mistakes. A study by a large group of international lupus experts (Systemic Lupus International
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Rheumatologists: What if hydroxychloroquine eye tests show retinopathy [FEB 2023 Update]

Do not automatically stop hydroxychloroquine if your eye doctor tells you your patient has HCQ-retinopathy! Heed my practical
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Lupus Headaches: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs and systems. One of
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Benlysta for pediatric lupus nephritis: FDA-approved

  Benlysta for children with lupus kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis): FDA-approved on July 26, 2022 This is a
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Positive ANA workup – Is it lupus or not? [October 2024 Update]

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are present in up to 20% of the healthy population, depending upon the particular lab
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Weight Loss & Exercise in Lupus: the science & patient view

The video provided below offers valuable insights into practical information regarding weight management and exercise for individuals with
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COVID-19 deaths in rheumatic diseases

Research Shows More COVID-19 Deaths in Rheumatic Diseases: 10.5% of lupus and rheumatic disease patients died Much higher
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Allergies and Itching after COVID vaccine? Announcing Research Here

Results from 64,900 vaccines: How often are allergies and itching after COVID vaccine? We’ll take a look at
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Lupus Tendonitis: A Common Cause of Pain in Lupus Patients

https://www.lupusencyclopedia.com/book-photos/#tendon…
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Good Advice on Lupus and Bactrim [per sulfa antibiotic research]

Lupus and Bactrim: List sulfa antibiotics (like Bactrim) in your allergy list if you have lupus Lupus patients
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Can Lupus Go Into Remission? – Now thrilled to say “Yes!”

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can go into a lupus remission on medications or treatment Lupus patient: “My doctor
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FDA approves Benlysta for lupus nephritis!

1st drug ever FDA-approved to treat lupus nephritis ​Historic mile-stone! ​ December 16, 2020: The FDA approved on
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Lupus and the Nervous System

Lupus, a complex autoimmune disease, affects multiple body systems, including the nervous system. Understanding the relationship between lupus
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Increase Energy with Lupus

Living with lupus often comes with the challenge of persistent fatigue, a common symptom of the disease. This
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Lupus and Taking Probiotics/Prebiotics: The truth [Updated JUL ’23]

Lupus and taking probiotics: Should you take probiotics if you have lupus, and what are the best probiotics
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Lupus Joint and Muscle Pain

Close to 90% of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) will have joint and muscle pain. Understanding lupus
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Is Lupus Hereditary?

The Genetic Landscape: Is Lupus Hereditary? “Yes” Over 180 genes have been identified that increase the risk of
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Johns Hopkins Lupus Center Reviews: 2025 Sunspots & Milder Lupus?

Johns Hopkins Lupus Center Reviews: Could sunspots in 2025 lead to milder lupus? 2014 photo by NASA showing
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Lupus Nephritis Diagnosis: Now in a nutshell in this video [FEB 2023 UPDATE]

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Chromatin antibody: Make sure you know your labs

Know your labs when you have lupus Chromatin is our DNA packaged up nice and neat with other
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Benlysta approved for lupus nephritis: is it for mild cases?

Lupus Question of The Day: Is Benlysta for mild lupus nephritis? Ask Dr. T question and shortened answer
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Lupus Fog Treatment? Vitamin Improves Memory in Research

Finding an effective lupus fog treatment remains elusive. Yet, a 2023 study called the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin
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Anifrolumab FDA approval to treat systemic lupus [Saphnelo]

Anifrolumab FDA Approval to Treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) AstraZeneca announced its anifrolumab FDA approval on 8/2/2021. In
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Share Lupus Experiences Now: Help current research on lupus

IF YOU HAVE LUPUS OR ARE A CAREGIVER: Help current research on lupus by sharing your experiences with
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Moderna and Pfizer Vaccines: How Effective is One COVID shot?

CDC Study answers this question Please get your COVID-19 vaccine! We all would like life to go back
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Hydroxychloroquine Decreases the Risk of Death

Research article shows that taking hydroxychloroquine decreases the risk of death by 83%: Impact of Antimalarial Adherence on
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Lupus Can Cause Tooth Decay: How to Prevent Dry Mouth and Cavities (October 2024 Update)

Can lupus cause tooth decay? Learn here to lower your risk of losing teeth from dry mouth! ​
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The aiSLE DX Flare Risk Index Test: A new lupus lab test

The aiSLE DX Flare Risk Index test The Lupus Foundation of America, in its continuous quest to advocate
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6 Supplements For Lupus That Worsen Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is overactive. This post discusses a 2024 research study
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Dr. Donald Thomas gets his extra COVID vaccines: It was easy!

UPDATED September 2021: I cannot wait to get my extra COVID vaccines … specifically my 3rd booster shot!
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Early Signs of Lupus in Females

Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, predominantly impacts women. Around 90% of lupus patients are women, while 10% are
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Lupus and Thyroid Medications

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system can attack the thyroid gland as well as the
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Lupus and Stress Management: How to lessen stress

Lupus and Stress Management: The Science of Stress and the Immune System The video below goes over lupus
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Heparin versus Warfarin for Lupus

Lupus can cause blood clots in many different ways. In addition, lupus patients are at higher risk of
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How to Have a Successful Pregnancy with Lupus [July 2024 Update)

July 2024 Update: Summary of Research 2018 – 2023 (Annals of Rheumatic Diseases) 🔥Excellent summary on research in
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What is Evusheld and Who Should Get Evusheld: Prevent COVID-19 [OCT 2022 Update]

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Three Potential Book Covers for The Lupus Encyclopedia 2nd Edition

THE VOTE IS IN! See the new book cover below 315 people voted for the new book cover
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Itchy Skin Can Be a Sign of Active Lupus

Updated JUN 2023 Itchy skin can occur with active lupus rashes (cutaneous lupus). However, other causes are much
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How to collect a urine sample properly for testing (UPDATED January 2025)

    It is essential for lupus patients to regularly collect an accurate clean catch urine sample  
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Lupus in Women: From Puberty to Menopause

Lupus in women occurs much more often than in men. There are many reasons this occurs. Also, lupus
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3 Proven Ways to Stop Lupus Chronic Kidney Disease Progression

Reducing the worsening of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in lupus and other autoimmune diseases is possible. I have
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Antibody Levels After COVID Vaccine

Some Immunosuppressant Drugs Cause Lower Antibody Levels after COVID Vaccine than do Other Drugs Home » Heart attacks,
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Spotlight on a Good Poem by Devoted Lupus Warrior

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Angela Deem of 90-Day Fiancé

  ​A gift for Christmas 2020, since I’m a 90-Day Fiancé fan. Angela wishes me a Merry Christmas and
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The Best Lupus Books? Look in the useful list below

Kelli of “More Than Lupus” describes what she considers the best lupus books ​ What are your favorite