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Heart attacks may actually be infectious
Researchers revealed bacterial biofilms in arterial plaques can stay dormant for decades before activation triggers inflammation and heart attacks, challenging traditional risk factor views.
- Researchers based in Finland and the United Kingdom reported on September 8, 2025, that dormant bacterial biofilms located within arterial plaques may play a role in triggering heart attacks.
- The study arose from suspicions that coronary artery disease is not caused solely by oxidized LDL but also involves bacterial infection within plaques.
- Researchers examined tissue samples from patients who died suddenly and from those undergoing artery-cleansing surgeries to identify oral bacteria DNA embedded in plaques.
- Lead author Pekka Karhunen reported that their research identified DNA from multiple types of oral bacteria within atherosclerotic plaques.
- These findings may enable new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, including possible vaccination and antibiotic use to prevent or treat myocardial infarction.
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It happens all too often these days that someone has a heart attack.
·Estonia
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Research Says Heart Attacks Can Actually Be Infectious
Get latest articles and stories on Health at LatestLY. Scientists from Finland and the UK have uncovered groundbreaking evidence that heart attacks may be triggered by infectious processes rather than just cholesterol and lifestyle factors. Health News | Research Says Heart Attacks Can Actually Be Infectious.
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right4Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Right
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Right
57% Right
14%
C 29%
R 57%
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