Heart attacks may be triggered by bacteria
6 hours ago
- #bacterial infection
- #cardiovascular research
- #myocardial infarction
- Research suggests myocardial infarction may be triggered by bacterial infection.
- Atherosclerotic plaques can harbor asymptomatic bacterial biofilms, shielded from immune response and antibiotics.
- Viral infections or other triggers can activate biofilm, leading to inflammation and plaque rupture.
- Study found DNA from oral bacteria in atherosclerotic plaques, indicating bacterial involvement.
- Antibody development revealed biofilm structures in arterial tissue, linking bacteria to myocardial infarction.
- Findings open new avenues for diagnostics, treatments, and potential vaccination strategies.
- Study conducted by Tampere and Oulu Universities, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, and University of Oxford.
- Part of an EU-funded cardiovascular research project involving 11 countries.
- Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association on 6 August 2025.