Women infected with a high-risk strain of HPV are significantly more likely to die from heart disease and stroke, a new study finds.
HPV, or the human papillomavirus, is known to cause cervical cancer, but it has also been linked to an increased risk of clogged arteries.
This new study included more than 163,000 women with no history of heart disease at the start.
The participants underwent medical exams every year or two, including checks for 13 high-risk strains of HPV.
While the results showed their overall risk of dying from heart disease was low, women with high-risk HPV were 3.9 times more likely to have clogged arteries, 3.7 times more likely to die of heart attack and about 6 times more likely to die from stroke.
The risks were even higher among women who were obese and had high-risk HPV.
The researchers say inflammation caused by the virus may contribute to blocked and damaged arteries.
One researcher says, “Clinicians should monitor cardiovascular health in patients with high-risk HPV, particularly those with obesity or other risk factors.”
More studies are needed to determine whether HPV has similar heart effects on men and whether vaccination helps prevent cardiovascular deaths.
