Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease Risk

A new study investigated whether the presence of gum disease, both in heart attack patients and their healthy peers, was related to an increased risk of further cardiovascular events over time.

Gum disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The more severe the disease, the higher will be the risk. The findings are presented at ESC Congress 2021.The association was particularly evident among patients who had experienced a heart attack in the past.

Study author Dr. Giulia Ferrannini of the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden said: “Our study suggests that dental screening programmes including regular check-ups and education on proper dental hygiene may help to prevent first and subsequent heart events”.

Periodontitis| Gingivitis - Causes Risk Factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Periodontitis or pyorrhea is infection and inflammation of ligament tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontitis causes loss of alveolar bones leading to loosening and loss of teeth.

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The risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event was higher in people with gum disease.

The Swedish PAROKRANK study previously showed that periodontitis (gum disease) was significantly more common in first time heart attack patients compared to their healthy peers of the same age and sex and living in the same area.

A new analysis included 1,587 participants with an average age of 62 years were investigated. Participants underwent a dental examination between 2010 and 2014: 985 were classified as healthy, 489 had moderate periodontitis, and 113 had severe periodontitis. Participants were followed up for the occurrence of cardiovascular events and death.

During an average follow up of 6.2 years, participants with periodontitis at baseline had a 49% higher chance of cardiovascular events than those with healthy gums.The probability increased with the severity of gum disease.

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When heart attack patients and healthy controls were assessed separately, the graded relationship between gum disease severity was significant only for patients.

Researchers postulated that the damage of periodontal tissues in people with gum disease may facilitate the transfer of germs into the bloodstream. This could accelerate harmful changes to the blood vessels and/or enhance the harmful systemic inflammation of the vessels.

Gum Disease may Increase Risk of Hypertension
Periodontitis or gum disease is a common condition that increases the risk of hypertension and consequently, increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

It is important to underline that the quality of care in Sweden is high, as confirmed by the overall low number of total events during follow-up. Despite this, gum disease was linked with an elevated likelihood of cardiovascular disease or death.