Cardiovascular and Neurological Diseases and Association with Helicobacter Pylori Infection—An Overview

Abstract

This article investigates the link between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Recent research suggests that H. pylori may play a role in cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke, as well as neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Cardiovascular Diseases: H. pylori induces endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation, promoting atherosclerotic plaque formation and other cardiac complications. High infection prevalence in cardiovascular patients implies that systemic inflammation from H. pylori accelerates disease progression. Eradication therapies combined with anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering treatments may reduce cardiovascular risk. Neurological Diseases: H. pylori may contribute to Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s through systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, and autoimmune responses. Increased infection prevalence in these patients suggests bacterial involvement in disease pathogenesis. The eradication of H. pylori could reduce neuroinflammation and improve outcomes. Discussions and Future Research: Managing H. pylori infection in clinical practice could impact public health and treatment approaches. Further research is needed to clarify these relationships. Longitudinal and mechanistic studies are essential to fully understand H. pylori’s role in these conditions. Conclusions: H. pylori infection is a potential risk factor for various cardiovascular and neurological conditions. Additional research is critical for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. Targeted therapies, including H. pylori eradication combined with anti-inflammatory treatments, could improve clinical outcomes. These findings highlight the need for an integrated clinical approach to include H. pylori evaluation and treatment.

Keywords

• <i>helicobacter pylori</i>
• stroke
• myocardial infarction