Does Gum Disease Cause Heart Disease?
This is a big question that has been discussed for years. I was even told recently by my own dentist that the two are linked. My father died of a heart attack at the age of 47 and as a child growing up I remember him using products to care for his gums and to prevent them from bleeding…definite signs of gum disease. It raised questions in my mind and since then I have read many articles about it.
Does Gum Disease Cause Heart Disease?
Is There Proof That Gum Disease Causes Heart Disease?
This article says there is no convincing evidence.
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) — A new scientific statement issued by the American Heart Association says no convincing evidence exists linking untreated gum disease to heart disease or stroke. Nor is there strong evidence that treating gum disease can reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke, the report says.
For more than 100 years, it was said that gum, or periodontal, disease could lead to cardiovascular disease, a major cause of death in the United States, but an extensive analysis found no proof of that connection.
They also said that both these issues produce inflammation which is what Dr Dwight Lundell says is the real cause of heart disease.
Gum disease, heart disease and stroke all produce inflammation in the body. The conditions share some risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, age and diabetes, which is why they often develop in the same people.
…and my father was a smoker.
In another article written by Perio.org they had this to say about peridontal disease (gum disease) and the link to cardiovascular disease.
While current research does not yet provide evidence of a causal relationship between the two diseases, scientists have identified biologic factors, such as chronic inflammation, that independently link periodontal disease to the development or progression of cardiovascular disease in some patients.
Dr. McClain encourages physicians and dentists to communicate the association between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease to patients. “It is not as simple as telling a patient that brushing and flossing will ward off a heart attack,” says Dr. McClain. “Patients should be aware that by maintaining periodontal health, they are helping to reduce harmful inflammation in the body, which has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.” Perio.org
So from now on I think I will listen to my dentist…just in case. You can certainly make lifestyle changes to get your gums and heart healthy. For instance do you have a good diet? Do you smoke? If you do, maybe you will consider quitting…just in case.
In conclusion, heart disease prevention is about how you live today. Anyway, what do you think? Have you heard about the two being linked? Or have you been told by your dentist they are? Please leave your comments below and if you feel this article is worth sharing, please click the share button!
A Healthy Heart Means A Longer Life
Tips For Maintaining Heart Health
The best way to maintain good heart health is to eat right and exercise regularly. If you follow a healthy, balanced diet and get enough cardio exercises, you can considerably reduce your risk of suffering from heart attacks and many other cardiovascular problems.
Being overweight is one of the biggest factors that can lead to poor heart health. The heavier you are, the more tired your heart will be in its effort to continuously pump blood to all parts of your body. This makes your heart work doubly hard and you will be more likely to suffer a heart attack and other problems, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to stay in a normal weight range so your heart won’t have to work so hard all the time.
Even if you are not very heavy, you should still watch what you eat if you want to keep your heart healthy. Your regular diet should consist of a balance of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean protein. Avoid processed foods as much as possible, and try to cut down on red meats, sugars and fats as well. It would also do you good to minimize your intake of high-caffeine beverages like coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks.
Alcoholic drinks should be kept at a minimum as these can increase blood pressure. A glass of wine at the end of the day or a couple of beers on the weekend should be okay but anything more than that may already cause heart health problems. Similarly, you should watch the kinds of fats that you are putting into your body. Monounsaturated fats are good but saturated fats or trans fats are a no-no.
Prevent Your Risks of Heart Disease
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to prevent a heart attack from happening — all you can do is reduce your risk. Even if you follow a healthy diet and get lots of exercise, there is still a risk of having a heart attack, especially if it runs in the family. Therefore, it would be good to familiarize yourself with the symptoms so you know what to expect in case it does happen.
Most heart attacks begin with a heaviness or tightening of the chest that can last half an hour or longer. You may also feel pain or discomfort between the shoulders, on the arms and on the upper back and neck. Other signs of an impending heart attack are nausea, shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue and light-headedness.
Maintaining good heart health may mean making some adjustments to your current lifestyle. It may not be easy to make these changes but if you keep in mind that it’s all for a healthier, longer life, it won’t be all that difficult.
