Overview
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is one in which your immune system mistakenly views your body’s own tissues as “invaders” and attacks them.
Mixed connective tissue disease has features of three other connective tissue diseases:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): An inflammatory disease that can affect many different organs. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint pains, weakness and skin rashes on your face, neck and upper body.
- Scleroderma: Abnormal thickening and hardening of your skin, underlying tissue and organs.
- Polymyositis: Muscle inflammation (swelling).
About 25% of people with a connective tissue disease (such as dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and the three diseases listed above), develop another connective tissue disease over the course of several years. This is known as an “overlap syndrome.”
How common is mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)?
MCTD is a rare disease, occurring most often in women and people assigned female at birth in their 20s and 30s. Children can also be diagnosed with the disease.
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Symptoms
Complications
Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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