Recent research indicates that women with human papillomavirus (HPV) face an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. A large European Heart Journal study examined this potential link and provides new insights into how HPV may interact with heart health.
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. High-risk HPV types are responsible for nearly all cervical cancer cases. Earlier work has suggested that HPV may contribute to arterial plaque formation, a key factor in cardiovascular disease.
The latest study followed 163,000 Korean women who were free of cardiovascular disease at the outset. They were tested for the 13 most dangerous HPV types and returned for medical checkups every one to two years over an average period of eight and a half years.
Overall, the absolute risk of death was low among this young to middle-aged population, with 9.1 deaths per 100,000 people. Yet infection with a high-risk HPV strain was linked to a higher likelihood of narrowed arteries, a markedly increased risk of death from heart disease (about 3.74 times higher), and an even greater risk of death from stroke (nearly six times higher). The study also found that obesity amplified these risks for HPV-positive women.
Researchers propose that the connection between HPV and cardiovascular health may stem from the virus’s ability to drive systemic inflammation. While these findings raise important questions about whether similar effects occur in men, further research is needed to confirm any gender-specific differences.
Despite advances in addressing traditional heart disease risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes, cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death. Notably, traditional risk factors do not fully explain all cases of heart disease, with roughly 20% occurring in people who do not exhibit these well-known risks. This underscores the need to identify additional, modifiable factors that can be targeted for prevention and treatment.
In related observations, some studies have noted associations between urinary health issues in older adults and fracture risk, highlighting how multiple health domains can interact and influence overall well-being. It is important for clinicians to consider a broad view of patient health when assessing risk and recommending preventive strategies.