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Greater exposure to viruses increases risk of heart disease

BMJ 2002; 324 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.324.7330.133a (Published 19 January 2002) Cite this as: BMJ 2002;324:133
  1. Scott Gottlieb
  1. New York

    Greater exposure to bacteria and viruses seems to be related to the acceleration of atherosclerosis, the degeneration of the inner lining of the walls of blood vessels in heart disease, and a worse prognosis, the latest research shows. The findings add to growing evidence that inflammation and infection have a key role in the development of heart disease.

    The study (Circulation 2002;105:15-21), led by Dr Christine Espinola-Klein from the Mainz University Clinic, Germany, looked at 572 patients who were admitted to the hospital for cardiac catheterisation. All the patients were tested for antibodies to several bacteria and viruses, including herpes simplex …

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