Cardiovascular features of SLE

Cardiovascular features of SLE include premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and SLE-associated vasculitis.

Note: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality in people with SLE.

SLE is an independent risk factor for premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is the major cause of mortality in people with SLEFanouriakis, 2021. Early and regular review, and management, of risk factors for cardiovascular disease is crucial to improve outcomes for all patients with SLEDrosos, 2022Hurst, 2023. Cardiovascular risk in people with SLE is up to 50-fold higher compared with the general population. The risk may be further increased if a person has SLE-associated antiphospholipid syndrome.

Vasculitis is a rare but serious feature of SLE and can involve any organ. Severe vasculitis can result in thrombosis and organ- or life-threatening ischaemia. For more detailed information on systemic vasculitides, see Overview of systemic vasculitides.