The most serious health risks are cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and stroke. Specifically, people with lupus are at an increased risk for atherosclerosis (the deposition of fats and cholesterol [plaque] along the lining of the arterial wall). In some people, inflammation can occur in the heart itself (myocarditis and endocarditis) or the membrane that surrounds it. Endocarditis can damage heart valves, which can result in heart murmurs. When the disease affects the kidneys, it’s called lupus nephritis, and patients generally require intensive drug treatment to prevent permanent damage. Lupus also may attack the brain or central nervous system, which can cause seizures or stroke.