According to a recent study presented at ESC Congress 2019 together with the World Congress of Cardiology, certain microorganisms in the body may contribute to a heart attack.
The researchers found that unlike gut bacteria, certain bacteria in coronary plaques were pro-inflammatory. In addition, patients with acute coronary syndrome (heart attack) had different bacteria in their guts compared to patients with stable angina.
Diet, smoking, pollution, age, and medications have a major impact on cell physiology, the immune system, and metabolism. Several previous researches indicate that these effects are moderated by microorganisms in the intestinal tract.
This study has investigated the contribution of the microbiota to the instability of coronary plaques.
The analyses also revealed differences in gut microbiota between the two groups of patients.
Those with the acute coronary syndrome had more Firmicutes, Fusobacteria and Actinobacteria, while Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were more abundant in those with stable angina.
Eugenia Pisano, lead author of the study from Catholic University, Rome, Italy, said, “We found a different make-up of the gut microbiome in acute and stable patients. The varying chemicals emitted by these bacteria might affect plaque destabilisation and consequent heart attack. Studies are needed to examine whether these metabolites do influence plaque instability.” (ANI)
