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Two factors come together to increase your risk: chronic inflammation and shared risk factors.
Inflammatory substances called cytokines fuel joint destruction in RA and blood vessel damage in cardivascular disease (CVD). Inflammation causes plaque build-up in the arteries, which slowly narrows blood vessels and blocks blood flow, and is the main cause of heart attack and stroke.

The other reason people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are more likely to develop heart disease is shared risk factors like these: 

High blood pressure — A number of factors increase blood pressure in people with RA, including a lack of exercise and drugs used to treat the disease (such as NSAIDs and steroids). People with RA also have less-elastic arteries that can narrow, which lets less blood through and increases blood pressure.

Metabolic syndrome — Nearly 40% of people with RA have metabolic syndrome, compared to less than 20% of people overall. This collection of symptoms, which includes obesity, high triglycerides and cholesterol, high blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar doubles the risk for CVD. 

Obesity — Sore joints make it hard to exercise, and a lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain. Obesity is linked to CVD risk itself, as well as to cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Fat cells release inflammatory substances that contribute to body-wide inflammation and CVD risk.

Smoking — People with RA are more likely to smoke than those without the disease. Not only has this habit been linked to more aggressive joint destruction, but smoking also accelerates blood vessel damage and contributes to artery narrowing. Smokers with RA have a 50%  higher risk for cardiovascular events than do nonsmokers with RA. 

Abnormal lipids — RA has an unusual effect on lipids or fats in the blood. Experts call it the “lipid paradox.” People with RA have high levels of triglycerides, low levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or “bad” cholesterol), and low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL or “good” cholesterol). Although low LDL is good for the heart, low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides contribute to cardiovascular disease.