Viruses increase heart attack, stroke risk up to 5 times, study finds

A new study suggests that some viruses can make people more susceptible to heart disease.

People who had coronavirus or influenza faced a “significantly” greater risk of contracting the disease, an independent study showed Heart attack or stroke – Up to three or five times higher – in the weeks following infection.

The researchers reviewed 155 scientific studies to reach these results, which were published this week in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

The hidden causes of heart attacks are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, a study has found

“It is known that human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus, and other viruses can cause cancer; however, the relationship between viral infections and other non-communicable diseases, such as Cardiovascular diseases“It’s not well understood,” said Kosuke Kawai, lead author of the study and an adjunct assistant professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

A new study suggests that some viruses can make people more susceptible to heart disease. (Istock)

“Our study found that acute and chronic viral infections are associated with short- and long-term risks of cardiovascular disease, including strokes and heart attacks.”

The researchers found that people were four times more likely to have a heart attack and five times more likely to have a stroke in the month following a positive flu test, according to an American Heart Association news release.

A ‘harmless’ virus found in the brains of Parkinson’s patients, new study finds

In the following 14 weeks Contracting CovidPeople were three times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke, and had an elevated risk for up to a year.

The role of inflammation

The statement indicated that when the body resists a virus, the immune system releases chemicals that cause inflammation and make the blood more susceptible to clotting.

These effects can sometimes continue even after a person has recovered from the infection. Ongoing inflammation and clotting can put extra stress on the heart and contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries, which may help explain why some people have a higher risk of stroke. Heart attacks or strokes In the following weeks.

Researchers say cancer survival has doubled with the advent of the common vaccine

“The findings suggest that low-grade inflammation plays a role by increasing the activation of blood clotting and damaging the inner lining of the arteries, which supply blood to our bodies,” noted Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer of VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company that provides cardiovascular and anesthesia services to hospitals across the country.

“While we knew there was a link between inflammation and cardiovascular events, this study showed that several common viruses have a greater impact than we previously thought,” added Maryland-based Serwer, who was not involved in the study.

The researchers recommended vaccination against influenza, Covid and shingles, citing studies linking lower risks among those who received the flu vaccine. (Istock)

The expert said that it is known that markers of inflammation called C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

Inflammation can damage arteries in several different ways, including causing microscopic tears that allow…Bad cholesterol(LDL) for invasion and plaque formation.

Shingles vaccine linked to ‘exciting’ health benefits in large-scale study

“Further inflammation can destabilize these plaques, causing them to rupture, and thus causing a heart attack or stroke,” Serwer said. “Inflammation also stimulates the clotting process by activating platelets.”

Risk of chronic infection

The study found that some chronic viruses, such as HIV, hepatitis C, and varicella-zoster virus (the virus that causes shingles) are associated with long-term cardiovascular risk.

Click here to subscribe to our health newsletter

Those who He had HIV They were found to have a 60% higher risk of heart attacks and a 45% higher risk of stroke. Among those with hepatitis C, there was a 27% higher risk of heart attack and a 23% increased risk of stroke. The study found that shingles increases the risk of heart attack by 12% and the risk of stroke by 18%.

“Our study found that acute and chronic viral infections are associated with short- and long-term risks of cardiovascular disease, including strokes and heart attacks.” (Istock)

“The higher risk of cardiovascular disease is lower for HIV, Hepatitis C “Herpes zoster is an increased risk in the short term after influenza and Covid – however, the risks associated with these three viruses are still clinically relevant, especially because they persist over a long period of time.”

Click here to download the FOX NEWS app

“Furthermore, shingles affects approximately one in three people in their lifetime. Thus, the elevated risks associated with this virus translate into a large number of excess cases of cardiovascular disease at the population level.”

Reducing risks

Researchers Recommended vaccination For flu, COVID and shingles, citing studies linking lower risks among those who received the flu vaccine.

Markers of inflammation called C-reactive protein (CRP) are known to be linked to an increased risk of heart disease, according to experts. (Istock)

“Preventive measures against viral infections, including vaccination, may play an important role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease,” Kawai said. “Prevention is especially important for adults who already have cardiovascular disease or risk factors.”

Serwer agrees that vaccination against many of these common viruses represents a “major prevention strategy.”

Test yourself with our latest lifestyle quiz

The researchers acknowledged some limitations of the study, including that it relied on observational studies rather than randomized controlled trials.

“Because most studies examined infection with a single virus, it is unclear how infection with multiple viruses occurs Viruses or bacteria The statement stated that it may have affected the results.

Click here for more health stories

“The analysis focused on viral infections affecting the general population and did not identify at-risk groups (such as organ transplant recipients) that may be disproportionately affected.”

For people with cardiovascular disease, researchers advised seeing a doctor to discuss vaccine recommendations.