Gum disease linked to heart arrhythmia

Analysing data from 76 patients with cardiac disease, the team found a correlation between periodontitis and fibrosis (scarring to the heart’s left atrium, which can lead to irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation).

Shunsuke Miyauchi, first author and assistant professor with the Hiroshima University’s Health Service Center, said, “Periodontitis is associated with a long-standing inflammation, and inflammation plays a key role in atrial fibrosis progression and atrial fibrillation pathogenesis. We hypothesised that periodontitis exacerbates atrial fibrosis. This histological study of left atrial appendages aimed to clarify the relationship between clinical periodontitis status and degree of atrial fibrosis.”

Left atrial appendages were surgically removed and analysed to consider if there was a connection. The results showed that “the worse the periodontitis, the worse the fibrosis”, proving that gum inflammation may intensify heart disease.