How Gum Disease May Lead to Heart Problems: New Study Reveals Critical Link

A new study has found that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key pathogen in chronic periodontitis, can travel from infected gums to the heart and cause structural changes. Researchers detected bacterial DNA in the left atrial appendage of patients undergoing heart  surgery — an area critical for maintaining normal cardiac rhythm.

The presence of this oral bacteria was linked to myocardial fibrosis — the buildup of fibrous scar tissue in heart muscle. This fibrosis can interfere with electrical conduction pathways, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation, a serious cardiac arrhythmia  associated with stroke and heart failure.

This is the first time P. gingivalis has been directly associated with structural remodeling of the heart. The findings suggest that untreated periodontal disease may silently contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction by promoting chronic inflammation and microbial  dissemination.

Maintaining optimal oral hygiene and early management of periodontal inflammation is not only essential for preserving oral health — it may also protect long-term cardiac function