Common infections raise risk of heart attacks in same way as obesity and high blood pressure, major study suggests, by Laura Donnelly.

Common infections could double the risk of stroke and significantly increase the chance of a heart attack, new research suggests.

Researchers said the dangers could be greater than those posed by obesity and on a par with high blood pressure or diabetes, in increasing risks to the heart.

The British study involving hospital patients admitted to hospital with infections found they had a 40 per cent greater chance of a heart attack while stroke risk was increased by 150 per cent. Those suffering such infections were three times as likely to die, if they suffered heart disease, the study found. …

Researchers suggested that the infections may cause inflammation, which has recently been found to be linked to heart disease.