A recent study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) reveals that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection may significantly increase the risk of heart disease and coronary artery disease. The research, which pooled data from nearly 250,000 patients across several global studies found that individuals with HPV were 40% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease compared to those without the infection.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Stephen Akinfenwa, an internal medicine resident at UConn School of Medicine, emphasized that the biological mechanism linking HPV to heart disease remains unclear but is hypothesized to be associated with chronic inflammation. He further noted that ongoing research may explore whether HPV vaccination could reduce cardiovascular risks.
This new evidence adds to the growing understanding of HPV’s health effects, which have primarily been associated with cancers of the genital area, anus and throat. The findings suggest that HPV-positive individuals may need additional cardiovascular monitoring, especially given that traditional heart disease risk factors like smoking and high blood pressure do not fully explain all cases of cardiovascular disease.
The study highlights the importance of addressing non-conventional risk factors, such as HPV, in cardiovascular health management. More research is needed to explore the strength of the HPV-heart disease link and the potential benefits of vaccination in preventing these long-term risks. The findings will be presented at the ACC.25 meeting in Chicago, set for March 31, 2025, further drawing attention to this important discovery.
Source: American College of Cardiology, March 2025
