Sexually Transmitted Infections & the Heart

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide, with over 1 million new infections occurring daily. Similarly, cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading global cause of death and has tremendous impact on disability as well as quality of life. Several STIs have potential CV consequences and may precipitate reoccurrence of underlying CV comorbidity. Notably, untreated STIs and associated CV complications have an increased impact on marginalized individuals and those with lim-ited access to health resources and care. Syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus, herpes simplex virus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cytomega-lovirus, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis have been identified as having CV implications. Yet, the data linking compromised CV health and STIs have not pre-viously been summarized. The present review encapsu-lates the current knowledge surrounding the impacts of STIs on CV health as well as diagnostic and treatment strategies. (Curr Probl Cardiol 2023;48:101629.)