Overview
- In a systematic review and meta-analysis of 155 studies (1997–2024) published Oct. 29 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, several viral infections were linked to increased cardiovascular events.
- Laboratory-confirmed influenza was associated with about a fourfold higher risk of heart attack and a fivefold higher risk of stroke in the first month after infection.
- SARS-CoV-2 infection was tied to roughly a threefold rise in heart attack and stroke risk over the first 14 weeks, with elevated coronary heart disease and stroke risk persisting for up to a year (pooled RRs 1.74 and 1.69).
- Chronic infections showed sustained increases in risk: HIV (CHD RR 1.60; stroke RR 1.45), hepatitis C (CHD RR 1.27; stroke RR 1.23) and shingles (CHD RR 1.12; stroke RR 1.18), with effects lasting years.
- Experts cite inflammation and thrombosis as plausible mechanisms, and the authors note that vaccination and timely antivirals may lower events, while emphasizing the observational nature of the evidence and research gaps for viruses like CMV, HSV-1, RSV, HPV, dengue and chikungunya.