GUT microbiota composition may help predict future risk of cardiometabolic disease and cardiovascular events, according to new research exploring the long-term health impact of the bacteria living in the human digestive system.
The gut microbiota refers to the diverse community of microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. Growing evidence suggests these microbes influence metabolism, inflammation, and immune function, all of which can affect cardiovascular health. However, much of the existing research has been cross-sectional, leaving uncertainty about whether specific microbial patterns are linked to long-term disease risk.
Gut Microbiota and Cardiometabolic Disease
In the new study, researchers analysed data from the large, multi-ethnic Healthy Life in an Urban Setting cohort, which tracks health outcomes in diverse populations. Stool samples from 4,792 participants were collected at the start of the study and analysed using genetic sequencing to identify bacterial species present in the gut.
Participants were then followed over time to identify new cases of cardiometabolic disease, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes. Researchers also examined major adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke using hospital and mortality records.
During follow-up, 129 participants experienced a major cardiovascular event, while 180 experienced a broader composite outcome that also included angina.
Specific Bacteria Linked to Heart Risk
The analysis revealed several associations between gut microbiota composition and cardiometabolic outcomes. Higher levels of certain bacterial groups, including Eubacterium xylanophilum group species and Akkermansia muciniphila, were linked to a lower risk of future cardiovascular events.
In contrast, higher abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus group species was associated with increased cardiovascular risk in initial analyses.
After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the protective association remained statistically significant for Eubacterium xylanophilum group species.
Metabolic Pathways May Explain the Link
Further exploratory analyses suggested that some microbial species may influence cardiometabolic health through metabolic pathways. For example, Ruminococcus gnavus group bacteria were linked to specific bile acid and acylcarnitine metabolites, which are involved in fat metabolism and energy regulation.
These findings provide additional evidence that the gut microbiota may influence long-term cardiovascular health through complex interactions between microbial metabolism and host physiology.
Implications for Future Prevention Strategies
Although the study does not establish a causal relationship, the results support the growing view that gut microbial composition could become an important biomarker for cardiometabolic risk.
Researchers suggest that understanding how the gut microbiota contributes to disease development may eventually help inform preventive strategies, such as diet-based interventions or microbiome-targeted therapies aimed at improving cardiovascular health.
Reference
Verhaar BJH et al. Specific gut microbes are associated with the incidence of cardiometabolic disease in the HELIUS cohort. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2026; DOI:10.1038/s41522-026-00952-6.
Feature image: troyanphoto on Adobe Stock
