Probiotics present in dairy products may support recovery after a heart attack by influencing gut health. The digestive tract hosts a vast community of bacteria that are essential for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. When the intestinal microflora is disrupted, such as after antibiotic use, overall health can decline, and recovery from illness may slow down.
Researchers in a national medical research center, along with colleagues from several universities, explored how the gut microbiome state relates to heart attack recovery. The studies used mice to model myocardial infarction, a condition where a portion of the heart muscle dies due to restricted blood flow. In some animals, the gut flora was deliberately damaged, while in others the intestinal barrier was compromised, creating a link between gut content and systemic circulation that could influence inflammation and organ healing.
Findings show that animals with disturbed gut microbiota faced higher risks of complications after the simulated heart attack. A subset received probiotic treatment to restore a healthier microbial balance. Over a 15-day period, probiotic administration correlated with a reduction in heart muscle damage from the induced heart attack. The area of tissue death was about 10 percent smaller in mice with impaired gut flora that received probiotics compared with untreated controls. This protective effect aligned with lower levels of inflammatory signaling molecules in the blood, which can worsen inflammation, impair cardiac muscle function, and contribute to cardiomyocyte death. Additionally, markers indicating intestinal permeability and microbial balance improved with probiotic intake.
Researchers propose that symbiotic bacteria may have evolved to benefit the host during cardiac stress by producing substances that support resilience to heart injury. These results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting a link between gut health and cardiovascular outcomes. While the data from animal models looks promising, experts emphasize that translating these findings to people requires careful clinical investigation to determine effective probiotic strains, dosages, and treatment windows. The potential for gut microbiome modulation to aid recovery after myocardial infarction is intriguing, yet still under study, with researchers urging rigorous trials to confirm safety and efficacy in diverse human populations.