Syphilis is on the rise in the United States and with it the threat that an enduring, untreated infection could pose to an individual’s heart health, a new study mentions.
The sexually transmitted disease (STD) doubles an individual’s risk of ruptured blood vessels and dramatically raises their chances of stroke and heart attack, researchers of Tulane University reported on April 15, 2026.
Cardiovascular disease is the top cause of death in the United States, and with syphilis cases mounting, this association is something that all providers treating high-risk patients require to be aware of. The rates have been rising sharply nationwide, with reported cases rising by more than 80% between 2018 and 2023, researchers stated in background notes.
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The infection is mainly caused by the bacterium Treponema Pallidum and spreads through sexual contact. Syphilis can be cured with existing antibiotics, which are highly effective. Sometimes a single dose of penicillin is enough to cure the disease.
Untreated syphilis may result in various severe health problems that affect such organs as the nervous system, eyes, ears, brain, liver, and other organs.
In addition to this, syphilis might be associated with cardiovascular disorders and diseases. However, none of the recent scientific studies sought to estimate the risk of cardiac damage associated with the disease, according to the study authors.
To conduct their research, the scientists of Yale School of Medicine analyzed medical data of almost 1,500 people with syphilis and around 7,300 people without the condition from three New Orleans hospitals during a period of 15 years, since 2011.
As it turned out, patients suffering from syphilis faced double the risk of developing an aneurysm – a bulge in the wall of the aorta, which may become life-threatening if it bursts. The aorta is the biggest artery in the human body and transports oxygen-rich blood from the heart.
Moreover, patients with syphilis were found to be at 92% increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, a 53% increased risk of ischemic stroke, and a 31% higher risk of having a heart attack. Early symptoms of syphilis include sores at the infection site, typically the penis, vulva or vagina. As it progresses, people might experience skin rashes, raised, grey or white lesions in moist areas, flu-like symptoms, patchy hair loss, weight loss, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes, according to the Yale School of Medicine.
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This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment.