Do changes in the gut microbiota affect cardiovascular risk and prevention of cardiovascular diseases?
Bulgarian Medical Journal, 2025, 19(4), 12-20.
St. Kochev1, E. Grigorov1, M. Yoncheva2, A. Yanakieva3
1Department “Organization and Economics of Pharmacy”, Medical University – Varna
2Clinic of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Military Medical Academy – Sofia
3Department “Health technology assessment”, Medical University- Sofia
Abstract. This review article aims to present the role and place of the gut microbiota in relation to cardiovascular risk and disease prevention. A secondary objective of the authors is to consider the limitations of gut microbiota research and the importance of studies in clarifying the mechanism of influence on the gut–heart axis. A literature search was conducted using various databases, including Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials, and PubMed. The search strategy included the use of keywords such as “gut microbiota”, “gut–brain axis”, “gut–heart axis”, “dysbiosis”, “diet”, “probiotics”, “cardiovascular disease” and other compatible terms. In addition to the analysis of the information that has been officially published, a summary of data from animal models and preclinical studies was made to provide completeness for the understanding of the subject. In recent years, many studies have identified mechanisms linking the role of the intestinal microbiota in low-grade inflammation in cardiovascular diseases. A number of scientific publications have also revealed a link between the intestinal microbiota and the progression of heart failure. These studies show that altered intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis) is involved in the development of heart failure. In addition, a large body of evidence is accumulating for the effective application of probiotics and their effects on reducing cardiovascular risk factors. The available evidence suggests that alterations in the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract may influence the overall condition of the individual, and the gut–heart axis could emerge as a potential factor in the management of cardiovascular diseases. All analyses concerning the interaction between the gut and the intestinal microbiota highlight the need for more in-depth investigation of the individual characteristics of the intestinal barrier and the bacterial colonies colonizing the gut.
Key words: gut microbiota, cardiovascular risk, prevention, cardiovascular diseases
Address for correspondence: Stanislav Kochev, e-mail: st.kochev94@gmail.com, ORCID 0009-0005-9138-4875