Gut bacteria linked to heart artery fat deposits

In a major Swedish study, researchers have discovered a link between the levels of certain bacteria living in the gut and coronary atherosclerotic plaques. Such atherosclerotic plaques, which are formed by the build-up of fatty and cholesterol deposits, constitute a major cause of heart attacks. The study was led by researchers at Uppsala and Lund University.

The new study was based on analyses of gut bacteria and cardiac imaging among 8,973 participants aged 50 to 65 from Uppsala and Malmö without previously known heart disease.

Tove Fall, who is the study author says, “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. Species from the Streptococcus genus are common causes of pneumonia and infections of the throat, skin, and heart valves. We now need to understand whether these bacteria are contributing to atherosclerosis development.”

The research team also found that some of the species linked to the build-up of fatty deposits in heart arteries were linked to the levels of the same species in the mouth. This was measured using fecal and saliva samples collected from the Malmö Offspring Study and Malmö Offspring Dental Study.

Reference: Streptococcus species abundance in the gut is linked to subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in 8 973 participants from the SCAPIS cohort, Circulation, DOI 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.063914DR2