Gout is often connected to other medical issues, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, poor circulation in the legs, high cholesterol, kidney disease, and psoriasis. These conditions may share underlying causes, such as inflammation or metabolic imbalances, making it important to address them alongside managing gout. If you suspect gout or experience its symptoms, consult your GP promptly.

Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions including heart attacks, angina, strokes, and poor circulation in the legs. People with gout may already have one or more of these conditions, or in some cases, gout may be the first sign of an underlying cardiovascular issue. If you think you have gout, it’s important to see your doctor, so that they can check for any related health concerns. If you are diagnosed with gout, your doctor will assess whether any cardiovascular problems are present and, if needed, provide the right treatment plan. While cardiovascular disease isn’t always avoidable (genetics can play a role), there are steps that you can take to reduce your risk, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing related conditions like raised blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Metabolic syndrome refers to a combination of health issues, which includes type 2 diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Gout is often seen as part of the metabolic syndrome, and people with gout are at increased risk of developing other features of the metabolic syndrome. This is why it is important to see your doctor if you suspect gout, so that they can check whether any of these other conditions are present. If you are diagnosed with gout, it also recommended to see your GP on a regular basis to screen for these conditions – e.g. as part of annual health check-up.

The best way to manage metabolic syndrome is through weight loss, exercise, and a healthy diet. Losing weight helps lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, which in turn reduces urate levels and the risk of gout. It also lowers the chances of developing heart-related problems like angina, heart attacks, and strokes.

If you have gout, you may also have higher levels of fats (lipids) in your blood, such as triglycerides and cholesterol. These can increase your chances of developing cardiovascular diseases, including angina and heart attacks. Most cardiovascular diseases are caused by a build-up of these fats in your arteries, known as atherosclerosis. Other factors, such as family history, smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure, can also increase your risk. Additionally, some evidence suggests that high urate levels may independently contribute to heart problems, even without metabolic syndrome. It is important to have your blood lipid levels checked if you have a diagnosis of gout. There are very effective medications (e.g. statins) that can lower these levels, and reduce the risk of complications.

Although gout doesn’t directly cause high blood pressure, it is connected through its link with the metabolic syndrome. Certain medications used to manage high blood pressure, such as diuretics (water tablets), can increase the risk of gout. However, some drugs are particularly helpful for individuals with both conditions, as they lower both blood pressure and urate levels by improving kidney function to excrete urate more effectively.

It’s a good idea to ask your doctor to check your blood pressure if you have gout. High blood pressure is more common in patients with elevated uric acid levels and may also be influenced by treatments like NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen) often prescribed for gout flares. Regular monitoring can help ensure both conditions are managed effectively.

Studies show that people with gout at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including women with gout and younger individuals. The relationship between gout and risks of stroke or heart attack is complex. Gout is associated with conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease. Because gout is closely linked with metabolic syndrome, which can include diabetes and high blood pressure, it’s sensible to discuss regular screening for these conditions with your doctor. Proactive monitoring and management can help ensure your overall health is well looked after. Inflammation due to uncontrolled gout can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, and so it is important that your gout is well-controlled to try and help prevent this.

Not directly. It is associated with type 2 diabetes through the link with insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance – the body’s inability to lower blood sugars – causes, amongst other problems, excessive re-absorption of urate by the kidney rather than washing it out into the urine. Gout is less strongly associated with type 1 (early-onset) diabetes.

Losing weight if you are overweight or obese is the best way of reducing your risk of being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and preventing complications. Losing weight reduced blood pressure, insulin resistance and lipid (fat) levels in the blood. Weight reduction is best achieved using a combination of a healthy, balanced diet and exercise, particularly reducing the intake of fat and carbohydrate (especially refined sugars such as those found in sweets, cakes and fizzy drinks). Regular aerobic exercise (enough to get the heart pumping and breaking out in a sweat) such as running, brisk walking, cycling or swimming for 20 minutes at least three times a week is optimal. Some people who are severely overweight and have additional health complications may also be eligible for weight loss medications but only on prescription and via a qualified health professional.

NSAIDs are commonly used to treat sudden, unexpected (acute) attacks of gout. NSAIDs have a link to vascular disease, mostly with long-term use. For gout, they are generally taken in short courses, which lowers the risks of these complications. However, it is still important to discuss these potential side effects with your doctors before using NSAIDs. Using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time reduces the risk of complications. Alternatives like colchicine or prednisolone may also be considered.

Patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer may also occasionally develop high urate levels. This rarely causes gout but can potentially harm the kidneys. However, this is easily preventable by using an intravenous drip and urate-lowering medications alongside the chemotherapy.

Psoriasis is a common long-term skin condition that causes inflammation and can lead to a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. People with psoriasis can have raised uric acid levels in their blood, increasing the likelihood of developing gout. As with gout, chronic inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart disease or strokes. Managing these conditions well with medication can significantly lower these risks. When gout occurs alongside these conditions, the risk of vascular disease may be even higher, making proactive treatment and monitoring vital.