The sexually transmitted Human Papillomavirus, known to be the leading cause of cervical cancer, has also been linked to increased risk of heart attack according to new research released this week.

“Women with cancer-causing strains of HPV may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, even when no conventional risk factors are present,” reports John-Henry Westen for LifeSiteNews:

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston are the first to investigate a potential connection between cardiovascular disease and HPV, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the U.S. Their findings are published in the November 1st issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

“Nearly 20 percent of individuals with cardiovascular disease do not show any risk factors, indicating that other ‘nontraditional’ causes may be involved in the development of the disease. HPV appears to be one such factor among women,” said lead author Dr. Ken Fujise, Director, Division of Cardiology at UTMB.

HPV is almost inexistant among monogomous couples who have never had sex with anybody else. However, it has spread to epidemic proportions with relaxation of society’s taboos on promiscuous sexual relations.