The January 2011 Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology published an article regarding a case control study of psoriasis and heart disease.  The study consisted of a total of 40 patients:  20 who were healthy and 20 who had psoriasis.  The researchers from Dublin, Ireland published results showing that patients with psoriasis have significantly elevated levels of an amino acid called homocysteine, which can lead to increased levels of cardiovascular disease with events such as heart attack and stroke.  Initial research can be frustrating because it merely tells us there is a problem and an association between two conditions without shedding light on what to do in terms of prevention.  However, all that US and international researchers can do to find patterns in the data may lead to major breakthroughs in treatment of psoriasis, and hopefully a cure one day.  Stephen Mahoney, M.D. is a national expert in the treatment of psoriasis, and he is a supporter of the National Psoriasis Foundation.  You can support the foundation as well by making contributions to further research and participating in the spring time Houston Walk to Cure Psoriasis.