A recent study revealed a concerning connection between high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and a significantly increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease in women.
HPV, commonly known for causing cervical cancer, has now been linked to cardiovascular issues, including blocked arteries and increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
The study, published in the European Heart Journal, involved over 163,000 young or middle-aged Korean women without prior cardiovascular disease.
Women with high-risk HPV infections showed a nearly fourfold increase in the risk of blocked arteries and a significantly higher risk of death from heart disease and stroke.
Obesity compounded the risk for women with high-risk HPV infections, indicating a potential synergistic effect between the virus and obesity in promoting cardiovascular issues.
The findings suggest that HPV may trigger inflammation in blood vessels, contributing to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease.
Further research is needed to determine if high-risk HPV infections have similar effects on men and whether the HPV vaccine can mitigate the risk of death from heart disease.
Increasing HPV vaccination rates could potentially serve as an important strategy in reducing long-term cardiovascular risks, pending confirmation of these findings through additional studies.