- Certain bacteria in the gut, especially some species of strep normally found in the mouth and digestive tract, may affect heart health.
- In particular, researchers say, gut bacteria may be linked to a build-up of plaque that can lead to clogged arteries.
- Experts say the new findings build on previous research that indicates a link between gut bacteria and cardiovascular health.
Some heart problems may begin in the mouth and gut, a new
Atherosclerotic plaques — commonly known as clogged arteries — are deposits of fat, cholesterol, and other substances that are a major cause of heart attacks.
A higher occurrence of these plaques is associated with the presence of certain oral bacteria in the gut — particularly
The study, led by researchers at Uppsala and Lund University and published in the journal Circulation, was based on an analysis of gut bacteria and cardiac imaging of 8,973 people aged 50 to 65 who did not have any previously known heart disease.
“We found that oral bacteria, especially species from the Streptococcus genus, are associated with increased occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques in the small arteries of the heart when present in the gut flora,” said Dr. Tove Fall, a study author and a professor of molecular epidemiology in the department of medical sciences and the SciLifeLab at Uppsala University, in a press statement.
Researchers used advanced imaging technology to detect early buildup of plaque in the heart’s blood vessels.
They combined the information with genetic sequencing data on a wide range of bacteria that inhabit the gut (including the mouth and throat).
In addition to the association between atherosclerotic plaque and Streptococcus anginosus, researchers also reported that Streptococcus oralis appeared to be related to plaque buildup.
Fatty deposits in the arteries were linked to levels of some species of Streptococcus in the mouth as well as in the gut,…
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