Seoul, South Korea — Women infected with high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) are up to four times more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke, a new study has warned. The study, conducted by the European Society of Cardiology, marks the first time that scientists have established a link between these infections and increased mortality from cardiovascular disease.

HPV, a widespread virus, includes strains known to cause cervical cancer. In this study, the researchers focused on 163,250 Korean women who were young or middle-aged and did not initially have cardiovascular disease. These participants underwent comprehensive health screening, including testing for 13 high-risk HPV strains, and were retested for follow-up health assessments every 1 to 2 years for an average of 8.5 years.

By correlating women’s HPV test results with national cardiovascular mortality data, including heart disease and stroke, researchers found that this relatively young and healthy cohort had an overall risk of cardiovascular mortality. We found that the presence of high-risk HPV significantly increased this risk, even though it was low. danger.

The study found that women infected with high-risk HPV strains had a 3.91 times increased risk of artery blockage, a 3.74 times increased risk of death from heart disease, and a 5.86 times increased risk of death from stroke compared to women. . people who are not infected.

Professor Seungho Ryu of Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine said, “Despite remarkable progress in controlling known risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes, heart disease remains a major It is the cause of death.” Seoul, media release. “Interestingly, these traditional risk factors do not explain all cases of heart disease. About 20 percent occur in people who do not have these problems. This is due to other variations. Our study focused on examining the impact of HPV as a potential risk factor for heart disease, particularly in relation to cardiovascular mortality. I am.”

Further analysis revealed that the combination of high-risk HPV infection and obesity further exacerbated the risk.

“Inflammation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, and we know that viral infections are potential triggers of inflammation,” added Professor Hae Suk Cheong, also from the university. “The virus can cause inflammation in blood vessels, leading to blockages and damage to arteries and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.”

This study advocates comprehensive care for high-risk HPV patients and urges healthcare professionals to closely monitor the cardiovascular health of these patients, especially those with obesity and additional risk factors. I’m urging you. It also encourages people with high-risk HPV infections to maintain regular health checkups and a healthy lifestyle to lower their risk of cardiovascular disease and cervical cancer.

The researchers call for further investigation into the association between HPV infection and cardiovascular death, including the potential protective effects of HPV vaccination.

“If confirmed, these findings could have a major impact on public health strategies,” Professor Liu concludes. “Increasing HPV vaccination coverage may be an important strategy in reducing long-term cardiovascular risk.”

The survey results are european heart journal.

Southwest News Service writer Isabel Williams contributed to this report.