Estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk in a large Italian cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients: Data from the Cardiovascular Obesity and Rheumatic DISease (CORDIS) Study Group

•The 10-year cardiovascular (CV) risk is 3- to 4-fold higher in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to age- and sex-matched osteoarthritis patients.•A careful surveillance for CV disease is mandatory for all physicians that manage RA patients applying the “Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation” (SCORE) and the “Progetto Cuore” charts for Italian patients.•Refrain from smoking, improve blood pressure and glycaemic levels control and sustained remission or low disease activity, represent the most pertinent CV prevention measures in RA patients.