Bridging Dermatology and Cardiology: The Link between Skin Lesionsand Cardiovascular Risk

Introduction: Dermatological disorders are emerging as important indicators of systemic health and have drastic implications for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Skin and cardiovascular diseases share common pathophysiological mechanisms, including chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. These overlapping pathways contribute to the increased cardiovascular (CV) risk observed in patients with inflammatory and genetic dermatological conditions, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods: This narrative review was conducted by evaluating current evidence from peerreviewed literature on the association between dermatological disorders and cardiovascular risk. Particular attention was given to pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic implications relevant to both specialties. Results and Discussion: Since systemic inflammation is a major risk factor for CVD, treatments that reduce the inflammatory burden represent promising strategies to prevent or mitigate cardiovascular complications in patients with dermatological conditions. Traditional therapies (e.g., methotrexate and statins) remain the gold standard to reduce CV risk. In addition, advances in the field of inflammation—such as inhibitors targeting IL-17 and IL-23 pathways—along with new systemic biomarkers and the development of targeted therapies, are paving the way for improved patient stratification and personalized approaches. Conclusions: This review highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in optimizing patient outcomes and emphasizes the need for closer integration of dermatological and cardiological expertise. Future research should focus on clarifying molecular mechanisms, identifying therapeutic targets, and refining shared clinical guidelines. By bridging dermatology and cardiology, this review underscores the potential for earlier detection, better risk prediction, and integrated management of coexisting dermatological and cardiovascular conditions.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Current Cardiology Reviews
Published
2026-06-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2174/011573403x428201260108121737
Primary Topic
Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Bridging Dermatology and Cardiology: The Link between Skin Lesionsand Cardiovascular Risk

Elisa Dietrich, Luigi Spadafora, Elena De Falco, Sonia Schiavon et al.
Current Cardiology Reviews
Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
article

Bridging Dermatology and Cardiology: The Link between Skin Lesionsand Cardiovascular Risk

Elisa Dietrich, Luigi Spadafora, Elena De Falco, Sonia Schiavon, Sebastiano Sciarretta, Maurizio Forte, Maria Elisabetta Greco, Leonardo Schirone, Concetta Potenza, Ilaria Proietti, Mariangela Peruzzi, Ernesto Greco, Valentina Valenti, Vittorio Picchio, Luca D’Ambrosio, D. Vecchio, Beatrice Simeone, G Frati, Gianmarco Sarto, Marco Bernardi, Erica Rocco
article en

Abstract

Introduction: Dermatological disorders are emerging as important indicators of systemic health and have drastic implications for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Skin and cardiovascular diseases share common pathophysiological mechanisms, including chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. These overlapping pathways contribute to the increased cardiovascular (CV) risk observed in patients with inflammatory and genetic dermatological conditions, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods: This narrative review was conducted by evaluating current evidence from peerreviewed literature on the association between dermatological disorders and cardiovascular risk. Particular attention was given to pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic implications relevant to both specialties. Results and Discussion: Since systemic inflammation is a major risk factor for CVD, treatments that reduce the inflammatory burden represent promising strategies to prevent or mitigate cardiovascular complications in patients with dermatological conditions. Traditional therapies (e.g., methotrexate and statins) remain the gold standard to reduce CV risk. In addition, advances in the field of inflammation—such as inhibitors targeting IL-17 and IL-23 pathways—along with new systemic biomarkers and the development of targeted therapies, are paving the way for improved patient stratification and personalized approaches. Conclusions: This review highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in optimizing patient outcomes and emphasizes the need for closer integration of dermatological and cardiological expertise. Future research should focus on clarifying molecular mechanisms, identifying therapeutic targets, and refining shared clinical guidelines. By bridging dermatology and cardiology, this review underscores the potential for earlier detection, better risk prediction, and integrated management of coexisting dermatological and cardiovascular conditions.

Current Cardiology ReviewsVol. 22
Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo (IT), European University of Rome (IT), Maria Cecilia Hospital (IT), Ospedale Santa Maria Goretti (IT), Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.