Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can increase the risk of many serious diseases, the highest risk seen in women is cervical cancer. Researchers said that any woman can get HPV infection, and in severe cases, it increases the risk of fatal cancer. With the help of HPV vaccination, can help in preventing this deadly infectious disease and the complications caused by it.

But do you know that HPV infection can increase many other types of health problems apart from cervical cancer?

In a recent study conducted to find out about the problems caused by the HPV virus, researchers said that it is important for all women to get vaccinated to prevent this serious infection. Women infected with this infection may have four times the risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This means that HPV infection is not only a cause of cancer, but it can also increase the risks of heart disease.

HPV infection can increase the risk of death
In a study published in the European Heart Journal, researchers have alerted everyone about the problems caused by HPV infection. A study of more than 160,000 Korean women over 17 years found that human papillomavirus may also increase women's risk of premature death. High-risk HPV (HR-HPV) strains, which are usually sexually transmitted, can significantly increase the risk of death from both cervical cancer and heart disease.

Risk of heart disease due to HPV infection
Researchers at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine in Seoul included 163,250 women aged 30 and older who had no known heart disease. High-risk women were screened from 2004 to 2018. Women with an average age of 40.2 years who became infected with HPV over time were seen to develop an increased risk of heart disease.

Women with HPV may have a higher risk of long-term cardiovascular problems, the study authors said. It becomes necessary to understand the problems caused by HR-HPV infection and get it diagnosed in time.

What did the study find?
During follow-up, 134 women died from cardiovascular disease, 16% of whom were HR-HPV-positive, the researchers reported. Obesity can also be a factor in increasing the risk of heart disease. The association between HR-HPV infection and cardiovascular death was stronger in obese women than in healthy-weight women.

Health experts say, we know that inflammation increases the risk of developing heart disease and death due to it. Additionally, if you become infected with HPV, the risk may be even higher.

What do researchers say?
Viral infections can trigger inflammation, says He Suk Cheong, a scientist at the European Society of Cardiology and lead author of the study. The virus can also cause inflammation in the blood vessels, which increases the risk of blocked and damaged arteries, which is a major factor in heart disease.

Based on the research findings, the authors of the study have alerted everyone and advised them to get HPV vaccination done on time. HPV vaccination may help reduce long-term cardiovascular risks as well as protect against cervical cancer

(PC: ISTOCK)