A Breakthrough Approach to Preventing Heart Attacks
A new study has revealed that bacteria naturally present in the mouth may play a direct role in triggering heart attacks.
اضافة اعلان
When examining arterial plaques collected from more than 200 patients with coronary artery disease, a research team led by Tampere University in Finland found a striking presence of oral bacteria in these samples.
Dr. Pekka Karhunen from Tampere University explained:
“It has long been suspected that bacteria could play a role in coronary artery disease, but direct and convincing evidence was lacking. Our study uncovered genetic material—DNA—from several oral bacteria inside atherosclerotic plaques.”
For decades, research has shown a growing link between oral health and cardiovascular health, often appearing together. This prompted Karhunen and his team to search for biological markers that might explain the connection.
The study focused on atherosclerosis, one of the main causes of heart attacks. Atherosclerosis occurs when plaques—made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances—build up in the coronary arteries. These plaques narrow the arteries, restrict blood flow, and sometimes rupture, cutting off oxygen supply to the heart and triggering cardiac arrest.
Researchers analyzed coronary plaque samples from 121 patients who died suddenly and 96 patients who underwent plaque-removal surgeries. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), immunostaining, and gene expression profiling, they identified microbes within the samples.
The results showed the presence of biofilms from several types of oral bacteria, with oral streptococci being the most common. They were detected in 42.1% of plaques from sudden-death cases and 42.9% of plaques from surgical patients. These bacteria were strongly associated with severe atherosclerosis, cardiac death, and especially ruptured plaques.
The study further revealed that bacterial biofilms tend to localize in the core of the plaques, hidden from the immune system. Under stress, these biofilms can become inflamed, leading to plaque rupture and a subsequent heart attack. Other triggers—such as bacterial or viral respiratory infections, poor diet, or the stress hormone norepinephrine—may further aggravate this inflammation.
Although the study covered a limited number of patients, the findings strongly suggest that oral health has a direct impact on heart health. The researchers wrote:
“The transition from a stable plaque to a fragile, rupture-prone one, and the development of symptomatic arterial plaque, may be linked to chronic bacterial infections forming dormant biofilms that colonize the fatty core and wall of the plaque, evading immune detection.”
They added that this discovery broadens the understanding of myocardial infarction causes and opens new avenues for diagnosing and preventing the deadly complications of atherosclerosis. (Science Alert)
