13 common infections that may raise your heart attack risk

“When bacteria get into the blood, that’s a sign that an infection is way out of control,” Dr Cloonan says. This is known as septicemia and can lead to sepsis. So again, it can lead to an intense response from the immune system and is another example of a situation where your body is in a state of extreme physiological stress. “This can worsen the risk of a heart attack or stroke,” he says.

Some people develop inflammation in the heart itself – a condition called myocarditis. Myocarditis can be caused by an infection, but also has other causes. Many people with this condition experience no symptoms and recover before they even know they have it. But for others, symptoms may include chest pain; rapid or abnormal heartbeat; shortness of breath; fluid retention in the legs, ankles, and feet; fatigue; and general signs of an infection like headaches, body aches, joint pain, fever, and sore throat, according to the Mayo Clinic.  Severe myocarditis weakens the heart and impedes blood circulation. It can also lead to clot formation in the heart, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

One of the most common causes of myocarditis is a viral infection. These can include viruses that cause the common cold; hepatitis B and C; parvovirus, which causes a mild rash (usually in children; it’s also known as fifth disease); and herpes simplex virus. Gastrointestinal infections, Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis), and German measles (rubella) can also cause myocarditis. People who have HIV/AIDS are also at higher risk of such infections.

Find out here what foods doctors eat when they have a cold.

Numerous other factors can also lead to myocarditis, such as infection with common bacteria like staphylococcus (which causes staph infections) and streptococcus (which causes strep throat, scarlet fever, and other infections). The bacteria that cause diphtheria and the tick-borne bacteria that cause Lyme disease can also be culprits.

Fungal infections with organisms such as Candida (which can cause yeast infections, UTIs, and throat and skin infections) can sometimes cause myocarditis as well, according to the Mayo Clinic, but that’s more likely in people who have weakened immune systems. It’s important to contact your doctor if you experience any signs of the infection.

Here are some signs of an infected cut or scrape you should never ignore.

“We know what the major determinants of heart disease are, including smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol,” says Dr Cloonan. “For people who have these risk factors and are on the edge to begin with, getting a bad infection may tip them into having a heart attack.” So it’s important to have your cholesterol checked, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, get screened for diabetes, keep your weight in a normal range, and avoid smoking. “Manage your risk factors to keep yourself as healthy as possible.” He also recommends staying up to date with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines to reduce your risk of these illnesses, as well as the vaccine for rubella.

Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox!

Source: RD.com