New Study Identifies Gut Mechanism Linking Sleep Apnea to Heart Disease Risk

Your gut may hold an unexpected key to protecting the heart from sleep apnea, according to new research.

A new animal study suggests that gut bacteria and the compounds they produce may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with obstructive sleep apnea. The findings, presented at ASM Microbe 2026, identify a bile acid signaling pathway that could become a future target for preventing heart complications linked to the common sleep disorder.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to reduced oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide in the body. These changes are known to increase the risk of conditions such as atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty plaques inside arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego investigated whether a bile acid receptor called farnesoid X receptor (FXR) influences this process. Bile acids, produced by the liver and modified by gut microbes, not only aid digestion but also act as signaling molecules that affect organs throughout the body.

Using two groups of mice genetically prone to heart disease, the researchers found that animals lacking the FXR receptor developed significantly less plaque in major arteries under sleep apnea-like conditions. These mice also experienced fewer disruptions to their gut microbiome and metabolic profile compared with those carrying the receptor.

The findings suggest that gut microbe-modified bile acids and their interaction with FXR may play a central role in the cardiovascular damage linked to sleep apnea.

Researchers now plan to examine whether the same biological pathway exists in people with sleep apnea. They also hope to test whether specific bile acids or beneficial probiotic bacteria can help lower cardiovascular risk. While the findings are promising, they are based on animal models, and human studies will be needed before any new treatments become available.

REFERENCE: American Society for Microbiology. "Sleep apnea’s hidden heart disease trigger found in the gut." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 June 2026.