Gastrointestinal (GI) infections are known for their localized symptoms, but growing evidence suggests they can have far-reaching effects on cardiovascular health. This review explores the cardiovascular implications of GI infections caused by bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal pathogens, highlighting the diverse cardiovascular outcomes such as myocarditis, endocarditis, pericarditis, coronary artery disease (CAD), and arrhythmias. The primary mechanisms linking these conditions include systemic inflammation, microbial translocation, and autoimmune responses. Bacterial infections, particularly Helicobacter pylori, have been associated with CAD through chronic inflammation, while viral infections like Coxsackievirus are strongly linked to myocarditis. Parasitic infections, such as Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, lead to severe chronic cardiomyopathy, and fungal infections, especially in immune compromised patients, can result in endocarditis and myocarditis. The review emphasizes the importance of early detection and cross-specialty collaboration between gastroenterologists, cardiologists, and infectious disease specialists to optimize patient outcomes. It also calls for future research to better understand the molecular mechanisms that drive the cardiovascular complications of GI infections. The study underscores that prompt, integrated care is essential in managing both the infectious and cardiovascular dimensions of these diseases.

gastrointestinal infections, cardiovascular disease, systemic inflammation, myocarditis, endocarditis, microbial translocation, Chagas disease, Helicobacter pylori