PMR-CVD link

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) - which causes pain, stiffness and inflammation in muscles in the shoulders, neck and hips - affects 2.4% of women and 1.7% of men. About one-in-five PMR patients develop giant cell arteritis (also called temporal arteritis), which can cause inflammation in arteries supplying the head or neck. Now research has suggested that PMR increases cardiovascular risk, especially among younger patients.