Bleeding Gums Linked To Risk Of Heart Attack

Thu, 11 Sep 2008

New research has revealed that people with poor dental hygiene place themselves at a greater risk of suffering a heart attack .

Professor Howard Jenkinson, from the University of Bristol, confirmed that around 700 types of bacteria in the bloodstream, caused by bleeding gums, are now known as ‘independent factors' in causing heart disease – no matter how fit and healthy the person is.

The discovery was made by the professor while working with the Royal College of Surgeons in examining how harmful bacteria interact with blood cells.

" Cardiovascular disease is currently the biggest killer in the western world," he said.

"Oral bacteria such as Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis are common infecting agents, and we now recognise that bacterial infections are an independent risk factor for heart diseases."

"In other words it doesn't matter how fit, slim or healthy you are, you're adding to your chances of getting heart disease by having bad teeth ."

"The only treatment for heart disease is aggressive antibiotic therapy, but with the rise of drug-resistant bacteria time is running out for this option," he warned.

According to professor Jenkinson, the findings suggest why antibiotics do not always work in the treatment of infectious heart disease and also highlight the need to develop new drugs to treat this disease .

"'We are currently in the process of identifying the exact site at which the bacteria stick to the platelets (blood cells which aid blood-clotting)," he added.

"Once this is identified we will design a new drug to prevent this interaction."

The findings will be explained in detail by Prof Jenkinson to members of the Society for General Microbiology in Trinity College, Dublin .
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