How well you care for your teeth may predict your risk of heart attack. Researchers have described a clear relationship between poor dental hygiene and heart disease. The analysis of a series of studies including over 80,000 patients showed an increased risk of heart attack in patients that had severe gum disease. The risk of heart attack was even higher in patients who had fewer than 10 teeth.
This relationship was further analyzed in a recent study that examined patients after a coronary angiogram determined the severity of heart disease. Patients who had more dental disease had significantly more arterial blockages in their heart circulation.
This relationship might be explained by an increase in inflammation in patients with gum disease. This same inflammation is seen through out the body and is intensely present in the artery walls. In these areas the combination of lipids and inflammation may predispose to more aggressive arterial blockages. It is unknown if the inflammation is made worse by dental disease, or if bacteria present in the gums are secreting inflammatory regulators that intensify the response in these vulnerable arteries.
The traditional risk factors of smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are important and deserve to be treated. Appropriate management of dental hygiene is recommended which may help to reduce the inflammation seen in this high risk population. Further studies are under way that will better define the cardiac risk in this condition. For now aggressive treatment of the traditional risk factors and smoking cessation is the cornerstone of prevention.
Dental Disease Can Predict Risk for Heart Disease
Apr 26, 2011 | By
