RA makes you more likely to get heart disease. Over time, plaque builds up in your arteries. Doctors call this atherosclerosis. This can lead to a heart attack. Chest pain is a common symptom.
RA is a possible cause of a heart problem called pericarditis. Thin layers of tissue around your heart get inflamed. You may feel severe chest pain that’s easy to mistake for a heart attack.
Even though your chest pain may not be a heart attack, if you have it, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away.