A new study from Uppsala and Lund Universities in Sweden reveals that certain gut microbes can influence the risk of coronary atherosclerotic plaques or fatty deposits in arteries.
Researchers analyzed the gut bacteria and cardiac images of 9,000 patients without known heart conditions and found that an increase in a particular type of bacteria, especially from the Streptococcus genus, in the gut was associated with a higher occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques in the heart’s small arteries.
These bacteria are also known for causing pneumonia, throat, skin, and heart valve infections. The study utilized advanced technology like DNA sequencing to identify bacteria sequences and improved imaging techniques to evaluate early heart vessel changes.
The research suggests that gut bacteria may have a role in atherosclerosis development, and further investigation is needed to understand their impact on cardiovascular health.
