A recent study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session highlights a significant link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and an increased risk of heart disease.

HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection, is often asymptomatic but can lead to serious health issues, including genital warts and various cancers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 13 million new HPV infections occur each year, resulting in approximately 36,000 cancer cases annually.

Vaccination against HPV is recommended by the CDC for children and teens, yet many adults remain unvaccinated due to age limits.

Dr. Akinfenwa will present the findings of the study titled 'Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Meta-Analysis of Effect Sizes from 249,366 Patients' on March 31, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. CT in South Hall.

This comprehensive meta-analysis pooled data from nearly 250,000 patients across seven global studies conducted between 2011 and 2024, making it the largest investigation into this connection to date.

The analysis included studies from various countries, including the U.S., South Korea, Brazil, and Australia, with follow-up periods ranging from three to 17 years, focusing on HPV status and cardiovascular outcomes.

Dr. Akinfenwa, who led the study, emphasized the importance of recognizing non-conventional risk factors like HPV, especially since approximately 20% of cardiovascular disease cases remain unexplained by traditional factors.

Heart disease is a pressing health issue, being the leading cause of death in the U.S., with a cardiovascular-related death occurring every 34 seconds.