In a new study, researchers found that using antibiotics over a long period of time is linked to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
The research was conducted by a team from Tulane University.
In the study, the team examined nearly 36,500 women who took part in the Nurses’ Health Study. They looked at data from 2004 to June 2012.
They found participants aged 60 or older who took antibiotics for two months or more had the greatest risk of heart disease.
These women were 32% more likely to develop heart disease than women who did not use antibiotics.
In addition, the long duration of antibiotic use was also linked to increased risk if taken during middle age (aged 40-59). These women had a 28% increased risk compared to women who did not.
The researchers did not find increased risk from antibiotic use by younger adults aged between 20-39.
The most common reasons for antibiotic use were respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and dental problems.
The team explains that antibiotics alter the balance of the micro-environment in the gut, destroying “good” probiotic bacteria and increasing the prevalence of viruses, bacteria or other micro-organisms that can cause disease.
Previous research has shown a link between alterations in the gut microbiome and inflammation and narrowing of the blood vessels, stroke, and heart disease.
The current study shows that long-term antibiotic use in middle age and later life is linked to an increased risk of stroke and heart disease during the following eight years.
A cumulative effect may be the reason for the stronger link in older age between antibiotic use and heart disease.
The study is the largest prospective study to investigate the link between antibiotic use and the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The lead author of the study is Dr. Yoriko Heianza. a research fellow at Tulane University.
The study is published in the European Heart Journal.
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