INFECTIONS CAUSE HEART ATTACKS
Report #7220
Chlamydia causes urinary tract infections and bronchitis and helicobacter causes stomach ulcers. Both may increase your chances of suffering a heart attack.
Chlamydia is associated with (11,8) and has been found repeatedly in plaques that form in arteries to cause heart attacks (1,2). Your antibodies combine with chlamydia to form immune complexes that convert the bad LDL cholesterol to oxidized cholesterol to form plaques in arteries (3,4,5). Chronic infections with helicobacter that causes stomach ulcers is also associated with increased risk for heart attacks (10).
A study from Harvard School of Public Health shows that people with high blood levels of C-reactive protein, an indicator of infection, are the ones most likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes, and that aspirin reduces inflammation/ caused by infection/ in the inner lining of arteries and prevents heart attacks (6). A study in Circulation shows that taking antibiotics may prevent heart attacks (7). Being infected with chlamydia increases a heart attack victim's chances of suffering another heart attack fourfold (7). Treating him with azithromycin, an antibiotics that kills chlamydia, prevents second heart attacks (7). An antibiotic that kills chlamydia helped relieve symptoms in people with angina chest pain (8). To prevent heart attacks, eat a low fat, high-fiber diet and treat chronic infections. See report #G144 and #1812.
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D., for CBS Radio News
1) TC Moazed, CC Kuo, JT Grayston, LA Campbell. Murine models of Chlamydia pneumoniae
infection and atherosclerosis. Journal of Infectious Diseases 175: 4 (APR 1997):883-890. 2) TC Moazed, CC Kuo, JT Grayston, LA Campbell. Murine models of Chlamydia pneumoniae
infection and atherosclerosis. Journal of Infectious Diseases 175: 4 (APR 1997):883-890. 3) T Watanabe, S Haraoka, T Shimokama. Inflammatory and immunological nature of
atherosclerosis. International Journal of Cardiology 54: Suppl. (AUG 1996):S51-S60. 4) RH Fryer, EP Schwobe, ML Woods, GM Rodgers. Chlamydia species infect human vascular
endothelial cells and induce procoagulant activity. Journal of Investigative Medicine 45:
4 (APR 1997):168-174. 5) RW Wissler, AL Roberts, JP Strong, JF Cornhill, and more than 55 others.
Atheroarteritis: A combined immunological and lipid imbalance. International Journal of
Cardiology 54: Suppl.(AUG 1996):S37-S49. Address: RW Wissler, Univ Chicago, Med Ctr, Dept
Pathol, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637 USA. 6) Ridker PM et al. Inflammation, aspirin and the risk of cadiovascular disease in
apparently healthy men. NEJM 1997(April 3);336(14):973-979. 7) Gupta S et al. Circulation 1997;96:404-407. 8) Lancet August 9, 1997. 6) Conclusions An increased anti-Cp antibody titre may be a
predictor for further adverse cardiovascular events in post-MI patients. Taking a short
course of azithromycin may lower this risk, possibly by acting against Cp. 7) S Gupta, EW
Leatham, D Carrington, MA Mendall, JC Kaski, AJ Camm. Elevated Chlamydia pneumoniae
antibodies, cardiovascular events, and azithromycin in male survivors of myocardial
infarction. Circulation 96: 2 (JUL 15 1997):404-407. 8) M Maass, E Krause, PM Engel, S
Kruger. Endovascular presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with hemodynamically
effective carotid artery stenosis. Angiology 48: 8 (AUG 1997):699-706. 9) S Wallbergjonsson, ML Ohman, SR Dahlqvist. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in
patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis in northern Sweden. Journal of
Rheumatology 24: 3 (MAR 1997):445- 451. Mortality and death due to CVD and IHD were in
both sexes increased in seropositive RA. Male sex and high age at disease onset predicted
death and cardiovascular event. 10) N Osseigerning, P Moayyedi, S Smith, D Braunholtz, JI Wilson, ATR Axon, PJ Grant.
Helicobacter pylori infection is related to atheroma in patients undergoing coronary
angiography. Cardiovascular Research 35: 1 (JUL 1997):120-124. 11) F Blasi, R Cosentini, R Raccanelli, FM Massari, C Arosio, P Tarsia, L Allegra. A
possible association of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and acute myocardial infarction in
patients younger than 65 years of age. Chest 112: 2 (AUG 1997):309-312.
Reported 9/16/97; Checked 9/5/05