Are Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cardiovascular Disease Linked?

Despite many recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women, variability in risk remains largely unexplained. Investigators hypothesized that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection could contribute to cardiovascular disease, given that oncogenic viral proteins induce degradation of the tumor-suppressor protein p53, and inactivation of p53 has been associated with atherosclerosis. To test this hypothesis, they examined National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2450 women (age range, 20–59; mean age, 38) who provided self-collected vaginal swabs for HPV testing.

Forty-seven percent of the cohort was positive for HPV DNA. Of 60 women who reported experiencing myocardial infarctions or strokes, 65% were HPV posi…