HPV is a type of virus known to cause a variety of cancersViruses, which have been linked to a significantly increased risk of heart disease.HPV may double the risk of coronary artery disease, according to new global research, suggesting that HPV may be a hidden factor in heart disease, even in people with no other major risk factors.

A comprehensive new study analyzed data from nearly 250,000 people worldwide and found that people infected with HPV are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, even when traditional risk factors are taken into account. This finding raises interesting questions about the role of chronic inflammation and whether HPV vaccination may help protect the heart rather than just prevent cancer.

HPV: a new cardiovascular risk?

The human papillomavirus (HPV), best known for causing a variety of cancers, may also significantly increase the risk of heart disease and coronary artery disease, according to new research presented at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Sessions (ACC.25).

Although the link between HPV and heart disease has only recently come to the fore, this is the first time data from multiple sources around the world — nearly 250,000 patients in total — have been combined to study the link. The findings add to evidence that HPV may play a role in cardiovascular disease and underscore the need for further research by scientists, clinicians and public health experts.

Clues pointing to inflammation and vaccination

"Our study shows that there is an association between HPV and cardiovascular disease," said Stephen Akinfenwa, MD, a resident in internal medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut, and the study's lead author. "The biological mechanism has not yet been determined, but is hypothesized to be related to chronic inflammation. We ultimately want to see if reducing HPV through vaccination can reduce cardiovascular risk."

HPV is a common viral infection spread through close contact. It can cause genital warts and cancer of the genitals, anus and throat. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children and adolescents receive the HPV vaccine to prevent cancers associated with the infection; however, many U.S. adults have not yet been vaccinated because they were past the recommended age for vaccination when the vaccine became available in 2006.

Global data reveals hidden dangers

In the meta-analysis, researchers identified seven studies conducted between 2011 and 2024 that included data on HPV status and cardiovascular outcomes over a follow-up period of three to 17 years. Most were retrospective and longitudinal cohort studies; three were from the United States, two from South Korea, one from Brazil, and one from Australia.

The researchers used a variety of statistical methods to extract data on the relationship between HPV and cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease (a condition in which plaque builds up in the heart's arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart) and high blood pressure from pooled study cohorts. Some analyzes also adjusted for potential confounding variables such as smoking, diabetes and other known risk factors for heart disease.

Analysis confirms increased risk

Overall, the findings showed that HPV-positive patients were 40 percent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and had twice the risk of coronary artery disease compared with HPV-negative patients. Even after adjusting for confounding variables such as sociodemographic factors, medical history, lifestyle, family history of heart disease, and use of antihypertensive medications, the relationship between HPV and heart disease persisted, with HPV-positive patients having a 33% higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared with patients without HPV infection. No statistically significant association with hypertension was found.

Based on the findings, Akinfenwa said clinicians could consider closer cardiac monitoring in people who test positive for HPV, in line with recommendations for patients with other known risk factors for heart disease.

Discover hidden risk factors

"We always talk about cardiovascular risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, etc., but we know that about 20% of cardiovascular disease cannot be explained by these traditional risk factors,"Akinfenwa said. "This makes it important to identify non-traditional risk factors, such as HPV, that may be targeted."

He said further research is needed to better understand the strength and mechanisms of the link between HPV infection and heart disease, as well as the potential role of HPV vaccination in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Compiled from /ScitechDaily