The Promising Role of Probiotics in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Their Implication in Reducing Coronary Artery Disease: A Literature Review.

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains one of the most common causes of mortality across the globe, which is strongly associated with modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The role of the gut microbiota in influencing these factors has been established recently. Probiotics, which can modulate gut microbiota, have been investigated as a potential strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk. This review aims to evaluate current evidence on the role of probiotics in reducing CAD risk factors and to explore the mechanisms through which probiotics may support cardiovascular health. This narrative review was conducted using studies published within the last five years. The search included databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, and ResearchGate. The selection focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and reviews that examined the impact of probiotics on CAD and its associated risk factors. Findings from several RCTs and meta-analyses show that probiotic supplementation is associated with improved lipid profiles (including lower LDL-C and triglycerides), better glycemic control, reduced inflammatory markers, and modest reductions in blood pressure and obesity measures. However, results across studies vary due to differences in sample size, duration, probiotic strains, and measured outcomes. Probiotics may offer a beneficial, non-pharmacological option to support conventional CAD therapies, particularly by targeting key modifiable risk factors. While early results are encouraging, further large-scale, long-term studies are necessary to confirm their clinical effectiveness and guide standardized recommendations.