Gum disease linked to heart attacks

Wednesday May 27, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- The same gene that is found in people with periodontitis, a serious gum disease, has also been found in heart attack patients. Scientists in a recent study urge people with the gum disease to get “treated as early as possible,” according to a BBC news report.

Periodontitis destroys the soft tissue and bone that support teeth, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can cause tooth loss and lead to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. It is estimated that periodontitis affects up to 40 percent of the world’s adult population.

Though gum disease has been associated with heart disease in previous research, this new study by the University of Kiel reveals exactly how the two are linked, said the BBC report.

Study leader Dr. Arne Schaefer, speaking at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics in Vienna, said his team found the gene linking the two conditions on chromosome 9.

That chromosome had earlier been associated with heart attacks but in this study was found in a group of 1,097 heart disease patients as well as 151 gum disease patients.

Schaefer said gum disease should be taken very seriously and treated as early as possible.

“Now we know for sure that there is a strong genetic link,” said Schaefer to the BBC. “Patients with periodontitis should try to reduce their risk factors and take preventive measures at an early stage.”

Both periodontitis and heart disease have the same risk factors, most importantly smoking, diabetes and obesity.

The study found similarities between the bacteria found in the oral cavity and those in coronary plaques. Both diseases are characterized by an imbalanced immune reaction and chronic inflammation. Researchers theorized that the bacteria involved in gum disease trigger an inflammatory response throughout the body. This prompts changes in arteries leading to strokes and heart attacks.

Another possibility, according to researchers, is that bacteria disturb the way blood vessels dilate directly, as some bacteria can enter the bloodstream.

“We hope that our findings make it easier to diagnose the disease at an early stage,” said Schaefer, “and that in future a greater insight into the specific pathophysiology might open the way to effective treatment before the disease can take hold.”

While periodontitis is common, it is largely preventable and is usually the result of poor oral hygiene, says the Mayo Clinic. Daily brushing and flossing and regular professional dental cleanings can greatly reduce the chance of developing periodontitis.

(By Sheilah Downey, and edited by Heather Kelley)