Patients who had their gum disease treated following treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib), or irregular heartbeat, are significantly less likely to suffer AFib recurrence, according to Japanese research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. AFib can increase the risk of stroke by five-fold. About 20 to 50 per cent of the global population suffer from gum disease.
To examine the potential impact of gum disease treatment on AFib, the researchers compared 97 patients who had received radio-frequency catheter ablation to correct AFib and received treatment for gum disease within three months of correcting the irregular heart rhythm, with 191 ablation patients who did not receive treatment for gum disease.
During an average follow-up period of between 8.5 months to 2 years after the procedure, 24 per cent of the patients had an AFib recurrence. Patients who had their gum inflammation treated after catheter ablation were 61 per cent less likely to have a recurrence of AFib, compared with ablation patients who did not get the dental treatment. Patients who had an AFib recurrence had more severe gum disease than those who did not have recurrences.
“Proper management of gum disease appears to improve the prognosis of AFib, and many people around the world could benefit from it,” said the lead study author.
According to the American Heart Association, oral health can be an indicator of overall health. Bacteria from inflamed gums can travel through the bloodstream to the rest of the body, including the heart and brain. Chronic gum inflammation may be associated with other health conditions, including coronary artery disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes.
