HPV increases risk of heart disease and stroke

A study soon to be published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has found that women with cancer-causing human papilloma virus (HPV) are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

The research focused on the 20% of people who develop heart disease without any of the normal risk factors. The authors of the study write that HPV, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the UK, may be a ‘non-traditional risk factor’ for cardiovascular disease. The study investigated history of heart disease, blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol and diabetes amongst other medical, demographic and lifestyle information.

The implications of the study are that HPV vaccines could help to prevent heart disease and that doctors should monitor patients with cancer-associated HPV to prevent the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
 

A fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. Full medical glossary
Abnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. Full medical glossary
Disease of the heart and blood vessels, usually due to atherosclerosis. Full medical glossary
A substance present in many tissues and an important constituent of cell membranes although high concentrations of a certain type of cholesterol in the blood are unhealthy. Full medical glossary
A disorder caused by insufficient or absent production of the hormone insulin by the pancreas, or because the tissues are resistant to the effects. Full medical glossary
The death of a section of heart muscle caused by an interruption in its blood supply. Also called a myocardial infarction. Full medical glossary
An abbreviation for human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and may also have a role in the development of various cancers. Full medical glossary
A sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and may also have a role in the development of various cancers. Full medical glossary
Invasion by organisms that may be harmful, for example bacteria or parasites. Full medical glossary
Myocardial infarction. Death of a segment of heart muscle, which follows interruption of its blood supply. Full medical glossary
A non-cancerous growth that resembles a wart. Full medical glossary
per vaginam Full medical glossary
Any sudden neurological problem caused by a bleed or a clot in a blood vessel. Full medical glossary
Relating to blood vessels. Full medical glossary
A microbe that is only able to multiply within living cells. Full medical glossary