Giant Cell Arteritis
Facts
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a disease of blood vessels, may occur together with polymyalgia rheumatica.
- GCA occurs only in older adults, mainly those over age of 50, and can cause swelling and thickening of the small artery under the skin called the temporal artery.
- A new, persisting headache is a common symptom of GCA. Symptoms of GCA promptly improve with corticosteroids.
- If GCA affects blood flow to the eye, loss of vision can occur. Prompt detection and treatment of GCA can prevent loss of vision.