Women in middle or late life who use antibiotics on a long-term basis have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease events. In a new research investigators followed close to 36,500 female participants in the Nurses Health Study (NSH) who were free of CVD at baseline over an 8-year period.

After adjustment for demographic, lifestyle, medical, and medication-related covariates, they found that women 60 years or older who took antibiotics for 2 months or more had the greatest risk for CVD, but long-term use of antibiotics was also associated with increased cardiovascular risk if taken by women at midlife (40–59 years).

Lu Qi, MD, PhD, MS, director of the Tulane University Obesity Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans said that longer duration of antibiotic use may be linked to higher risk of CVD among women. The study was published online April 24 in the European Heart Journal.

Comments: The reason may be killing of the natural microbiome. 

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA