Research shows link between oral health and heart attack recovery

The study found that bacteria which causes gum disease can also impair the healing and repair of arteries after a heart attack. The researchers believe that this impaired healing may be due to an enzyme produced by the bacteria that stops the body's immune cells from repairing the arteries.

By keeping their mouths healthy and free of gum disease, people who have suffered from a heart attack may be able to avoid further cardiovascular problems in the future.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the UK, contributing to more than 150,000 deaths per year, but many of these deaths could have been prevented with relatively simple lifestyle changes.

The UK’s leading oral health charity, the Oral Health Foundation, is calling on people to understand the links between oral health and cardiovascular disease in order to reduce their chances of potentially fatal illness.

Nigel Carter, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said, “This is incredibly interesting research which could offer hope to the future of millions of people affected by cardiovascular disease.