Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026
07:32
Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation
Published on: May 26, 2023
5.4K
How the Microbiome Drives Cardiovascular Disease
Karen J Ho1, Jayalekshmi Vs1, Ayah Abualhuda1
1Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 650, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
The Surgical Clinics of North America
|October 12, 2025
Summary
Gut microbes influence cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) by affecting immunity, gut barrier, and metabolism. Understanding gut dysbiosis offers new avenues for preventing and treating conditions like heart failure and stroke.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome Research
- Cardiovascular Science
- Translational Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant global health burden, being the primary cause of mortality and morbidity.
- Emerging scientific and clinical evidence highlights the critical role of gut microbiota in modulating CVD development and progression.
- Gut microbiota influence CVDs via immune/inflammatory responses, intestinal barrier integrity, and metabolic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the intricate relationships between gut dysbiosis and various cardiovascular conditions.
- To explore the mechanistic links through which gut microbiota impact cardiovascular health.
- To identify potential novel therapeutic and preventive strategies targeting the gut microbiome for CVDs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current scientific and clinical evidence.
- Analysis of mechanistic pathways connecting gut microbiota to cardiovascular pathophysiology.
- Identification of specific CVDs linked to gut dysbiosis, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cerebrovascular disease.
Main Results:
- Established link between gut dysbiosis and increased risk/severity of coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiovascular death, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and aortic aneurysms.
- Demonstrated influence of gut microbiota on key pathways including immune regulation, inflammation, intestinal permeability, and host metabolism.
- Highlighted the potential for targeting the gut microbiome as a novel therapeutic strategy.
Conclusions:
- Gut dysbiosis is a significant contributing factor to the pathogenesis of a wide spectrum of cardiovascular diseases.
- Modulation of the gut microbiota presents a promising frontier for innovative interventions in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.
- Further research into gut-heart axis interactions is crucial for clinical translation.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
391
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
391
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
878
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
878
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
367
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
367
01:27Regulation of the Cardiovascular System
3.7K
The regulation of the cardiovascular system allows the body to adapt to various demands and maintain homeostasis.
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...
3.7K
01:25Endocarditis I: Introduction
392
Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
392
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
794
Cardiac biomarkers are enzymes, proteins, and hormones released into the blood when cardiac cells are injured. They are powerful tools for triaging.
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
794