Scientists Discover Hidden Heart Valve Risk Linked to Gum Disease The American Heart Association's latest research on the link between gum disease and heart valve damage reveals a surprising connection.
The study focused on Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium that causes gum inflammation and tissue destruction, and found it present in the calcified aortic valves of patients with calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS).
Researchers discovered that P. gingivalis is not only present but also abundant in affected valves.