Bacteria linked to stress-induced heart attacks

Stress can trigger heart attacks in people with a lot of plaque in their arteries. But bacteria may be the real culprit in blocking blood flow.

Hormones such as norepinephrine may free bacteria from biofilms in plaque build-ups. In their escape, the bacteria may release enzymes that have the potential to damage surrounding tissues and make it easier for plaque globs to rupture, researchers suggest June 10 in mBio. Plaque ruptures can cause clotting, which blocks blood flow to the heart.

The early work suggests that managing bacteria may be as important as managing cholesterol in warding off heart attacks. But scientists will need to test whether the bacteria create their potentially dangerous enzymes in actual arteries, not just cultures, to be sure.