Gum diseases are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Gum diseases may be associated with the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. This is stated in a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA), published in the journal Circulation.
Experts note that gum inflammation—periodontitis—allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream and maintain chronic inflammation, which damages blood vessels and accelerates the development of cardiovascular diseases. Accumulated data show a link between periodontitis not only with ischemic heart disease and stroke but also with arrhythmia, heart failure, and peripheral artery diseases.
Periodontitis is prevalent in more than 40 percent of adults over 30 years old and is more common in people with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and among smokers. Although causality has not yet been definitively proven, scientists emphasize that reducing chronic inflammation, including through gum treatment, may play a role in preventing cardiovascular complications.
The authors of the statement stress that regular tooth brushing, flossing, and preventive dental check-ups are important not only for oral health but also for heart health. This is especially relevant for people with existing cardiovascular risk factors, who are advised to pay increased attention to their gum health.
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