A new campaign has kicked off in a bid to hammer home messages on the link between gum and cardiovascular disease.
Aimed at dentists, medical professionals, cardiologists, and the public, the Perio & Cardio educational campaign offers steps for both prevention and treatment.
Launched by leading global experts, it argues that patients with gum disease need to be told they have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
As a result, it recommends that patients are to follow oral health measures of prevention, treatment and maintenance.
Risk factors
Additionally, patients should also be aware of risk factors. These include a lack of exercise, smoking, excess weight and a diet high in saturated fats.
The global campaign, launched by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and the World Heart Federation (WHF), models a new evidence-based scientific consensus.
Both gum and cardiovascular diseases are widespread, non-communicable conditions. Periodontitis, for example, has an overall global prevalence of 45-50%.
Similarly, its more severe form affects 11.2% of the world’s population.
Cardiovascular disease, on the other hand, leads to 17.9 million deaths per year worldwide – one third of all deaths.
Important link
Jean-Luc Eiselé is the CEO of the World Heart Federation. ‘Most people are dangerously unaware of the increased risk of heart disease associated with poor periodontal health,’ he said.
‘This project aims to raise awareness of this important link not just among the general public. But also among nurses, dentists, cardiologists and other medical professionals. They play a key role in managing heart disease risk factors among their patients.
‘We are proud to join forces with the European Federation of Periodontology to shine a light on this important issue.’
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