Gum disease bacterium linked to increased risk of atrial fibrillation

Gum disease bacterium linked to increased risk of atrial fibrillation

Tempted to skip the floss? Your heart might thank you if you don't. A new study from Hiroshima University (HU) finds that the gum disease bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) can slip into the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart.

Heart rhythm disorder traced to bacterium lurking in gums

Tempted to skip the floss? Your heart might thank you if you don't. A new study from Hiroshima University (HU) finds that the gum disease bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) can slip into the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart. There, it quietly drives scar tissue buildup—known as fibrosis—distorting the heart's architecture, interfering with electrical signals, and raising the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Why gum disease linked to heart rhythm disorder

A new study from Hiroshima University reveals that neglecting your dental hygiene might not just affect your smile—it could also harm your heart. The research, published in Circulation, found that the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis(P. gingivalis), commonly linked to gum disease, can travel from the gums to the heart. Once there, it triggers scar tissue buildup in the […] The post Why gum disease linked to heart rhythm disorder appeared first…