Gout patients, or people with gouty arthritis -- are at a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh report. A newfound independent risk factor among those with no previous history of heart disease, the condition primarily affects men -- though an increase of the condition has been noted in post-menopausal women. Of the 1,123 men who developed gout in the course of the study, 1,108 of the patients experienced a heart attack -- 246 of which were fatal. The risk of the association between the presence of gout and the occurrence of a heart attack is relatively low, noted researchers. However, the odds ratio was considerably high compared to other risk factors. For more information on gouty arthritis and its symptoms, click here.
