The Gut-Heart Axis and What It Means for Your Cardiovascular Health
Aug 27, 20255 minute read
Most people think of the heart and gut as two separate systems. One pumps blood, the other digests food. But scientists are discovering that the bacteria in your gut may quietly influence your cardiovascular health in significant ways.
This connection is called the gut-heart axis, highlighting how your gut microbiome could play a role in blood pressure, inflammation, and even how your body responds after a heart attack.
The more we learn, the clearer it becomes that gut health isn’t just about digestion but your entire wellbeing.
Understanding the Gut-Heart Axis
The gut-heart axis is the two-way relationship between the bacteria in your gut and the health of your heart. This communication isn’t metaphorical, it’s physiological.
Gut bacteria produce compounds that influence inflammation and blood vessel function. At the same time, heart health affects blood flow, which can impact the gut environment. It’s a continuous loop, and keeping that loop in balance may support long-term cardiovascular health.
What Changes in Gut Bacteria Reveal
In people with heart conditions, the gut microbiome often looks very different from that of healthy individuals. These changes typically involve:
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An increase in bacteria linked to inflammation
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A decrease in microbes that help regulate immune responses
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A shift in the types and amount of compounds these microbes produce
These patterns suggest that poor gut health doesn’t just happen alongside cardiovascular disease, it might contribute to it.
How Gut Dysbiosis Can Affect Your Heart
Gut dysbiosis happens when the balance of bacteria in your digestive tract is disrupted. This can be triggered by:
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A low-fiber diet
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Frequent antibiotic use
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High stress levels
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Illness or chronic inflammation
When this imbalance becomes long-term, it can create conditions that put extra strain on your heart.
What We Know About Blood Pressure and Gut Bacteria
Certain types of gut bacteria are more common in people with high blood pressure. Others tend to show up more in people with normal levels. Here’s how it breaks down:
Linked to higher blood pressure:
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Methanobrevibacter
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Oxalobacter
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Klebsiella
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Salmonella
More common in healthy blood pressure:
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Bifidobacterium
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Butyrivibrio
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Coprococcus
These differences suggest that managing your gut bacteria could become a natural way to help support healthy blood pressure levels.
What Happens to the Gut After a Heart Attack
After a heart attack, studies have found major shifts in the gut microbiome. Certain bacterial groups become more dominant, including:
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Spirochaetes
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Lachnospiraceae
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Synergistetes
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Syntrophomonadaceae
At the same time, the body produces fewer of the compounds that help regulate inflammation. These microbial changes may slow recovery or contribute to future complications.
What Short Chain Fatty Acids Do for the Heart
How SCFAs Are Produced
Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are created when beneficial bacteria digest dietary fiber. The most important SCFAs include:
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Acetate
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Propionate
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Butyrate
These molecules act as messengers. They travel through the body and influence how your immune system responds to threats, how your gut lining functions, and how inflammation is managed.
How SCFAs Support Immune Balance
Chronic inflammation plays a major role in heart disease. SCFAs help your immune system respond in a more balanced way. Research shows that they can:
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Lower levels of IL-1β and IL-6, which are linked to cardiovascular damage
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Encourage the production of IL-10, which helps calm inflammation
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Influence regulatory T cells that control immune overreactions
The presence of these fatty acids in the bloodstream often correlates with better cardiovascular resilience.
Why Butyrate Stands Out
Butyrate is one of the most important SCFAs when it comes to heart health. It helps by:
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Reducing levels of TNF-α, a key driver of inflammation in blood vessels
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Increasing IL-10, a compound associated with anti-inflammatory benefits
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Inhibiting enzymes that influence blood pressure regulation
More butyrate in the body typically means less strain on the heart.
What Probiotics Can Offer for Cardiovascular Support
Probiotics are live bacteria that can help restore the natural balance of your gut microbiome. When taken consistently and in meaningful amounts, certain strains can:
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Increase production of SCFAs
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Reduce inflammation markers in the body
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Crowd out less helpful bacteria
The goal is the right mix of bacteria doing the right things.
What Clinical Studies Have Found
A 12-week clinical trial tested probiotics from these genera:
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Lactobacillus
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Bifidobacterium
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Lactococcus
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Streptococcus
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Enterococcus
The results were promising. Participants who took a higher dose, 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily, experienced:
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Reduced levels of TNF-α and IL-6
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A drop in systolic blood pressure
These are meaningful shifts, especially for those already managing cardiovascular concerns.
What Science Still Needs to Confirm
Even though research is moving quickly, a few things still need to be better understood:
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Which probiotic strains work best for heart health
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How long someone needs to take them to see results
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How much benefit applies across age, gender, or existing health conditions
Until there’s more large-scale research, probiotics should be seen as supportive, not as a replacement for medical treatment.
Where the Research Is Heading
Future studies are focusing on:
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Personalized gut testing to identify cardiovascular risks
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Using probiotics alongside diet changes for stronger results
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Mapping how probiotics interact with medications and other supplements
The possibilities are exciting, but more testing is needed before clear recommendations can be made for everyone.
What You Can Do Right Now to Support Both Gut and Heart
You don’t need to wait for more data to start taking better care of your gut. Supporting your microbiome is a smart step toward better overall health, including your cardiovascular system.
Here are some practical ways to start:
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Eat a wide variety of fiber-rich foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains)
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Cut back on added sugars and processed foods that fuel harmful bacteria
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Stay active. Physical movement helps regulate gut and heart function
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Manage stress, which can affect gut bacteria and raise inflammation
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Consider a high-quality probiotic with strains shown to support immune and metabolic balance
A Healthier Heart Starts in the Gut
The evidence linking your gut to your heart is growing stronger. It’s not just about what you eat; it’s about what your gut bacteria do with what you eat.
By paying attention to gut health, you may be able to support blood pressure, reduce harmful inflammation, and promote better recovery if cardiovascular issues arise.
If you’re looking to take a smarter approach to supplements, it’s worth investing in quality. You can find science-backed probiotics and wellness products from premium brands around the world at Curated Wellness.
Top Recommended Products for Supporting the Gut-Heart Connection
Heart Health Complex combines coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha), potassium, taurine, and magnesium to provide the heart muscle and blood vessels with nutrients for healthy functioning.
ION* Gut Support - ION* Intelligence of Nature
ION* Gut Support is a mineral supplement sourced from 60-million-year-old soil that provides foundational barrier support, naturally balancing the microbiome. ION* Gut Support fosters: Immune Function. Digestion. Mental Clarity. Metabolism. Mood.
Heart Health features Hawthorn blend prepared from the leaf, flower and berry of Crataegus spp. trees. The leaf and flower are harvested each spring in Europe. The berry is harvested each fall in the Pacific Northwest. It also includes Cactus Grandiflorus, extracted fresh each spring from the succulent stem of Selenicereus spp. plants from Florida. The plant is also known as Night Blooming Cactus.
