A new study finds that a common bacteria known as to cause ulcers may now also be responsible for irregular heart rhythm, known as atrial fibrillation (AF).
Dr. Annibale Montenero, lead researcher and chairman of Multimedica General Hospital’s Cardiology Department and Arrhythmia Center, has discovered a strong link between the bacteria helicobacter pylori and an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
In the overall analysis, 97.2 percent of atrial fibrillation patients were positive for H. pylori compared with just 5.3 percent of controls.
Investigators note that the link between H. pylori and atrial fibrillation is “highly significant.
Based on the findings, physicians are advised to check their AF patients for H. pylori and eliminate it whenever it is found.
References
Montenero AS, Mollichelli N, Zumbo F, Antonelli A, Dolci A, Barberis M, Sirolla C, Staine T, Fiocca L, Bruno N, O’Connor S. Helicobacter pylori and atrial fibrillation: a possible pathogenic link. Heart. 2005 Jul;91(7):960-1.