Women are at increased risk of heart attack or stroke having high uses of antibiotics according to new Tulane University research. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, is one of the largest research efforts to investigate the link between antibiotic use and risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers found that women aged 60 or older who took antibiotics for two months or more had the greatest risk of cardiovascular disease, but long duration of antibiotic use was also associated with an increased risk if taken during middle age (aged 40-59).
The researchers found no increased risk from antibiotic use by younger adults aged between 20-39. A possible reason for the higher risk of cardiovascular disease could be because antibiotics alter the balance of the micro-environment in the gut, destroying “good” probiotic bacteria and increasing the prevalence of viruses,…
