Re: Chlamydia pneumoniae/H. pylori/cytomegalovirus

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on September 30, 1998 at 11:21:26:

In Reply to: Chlamydia pneumoniae/H. pylori/cytomegalovirus posted by Gordon Magee on September 30, 1998 at 10:45:23:






After reading some information from a couple of e-mail services, and doing
research in medical research engines I am wondering about the helpfulness
taking an antibiotic treatment to rid the body, particularly of the
chlamydia p. to do away with the "smoldering inflammation" as it has been
called.
Any opinions on whether this may be effective?  
I am 47 and had my first MI at 39, another at 43, and have had 4 angioplasties,
the last on in Feb, which included 3 stents.
Doing fine, playing basketball etc, but am hopefull of stopping the progression
of the atherosclerosis.
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Dear Gordon
At this point in time, I would not recommend taking antibiotics. They are expensive, have potential side effects, and their indiscriminate use breeds resistant organisms that go on to cause serious disease. There is no convincing evidence that infection plays a role in human coronary artery disease. Inflammation definitely occurs within atherosclerotic plaque, but the link to infection has not been made as of yet. In addition, the epidemiological studies are conflicting regarding the role of infectious agents in heart disease.
I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
If you wish to be evaluated here at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.  Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only.  Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your doctor.