A groundbreaking study from Hiroshima University, published in Circulation, reveals that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium linked to gum disease, can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart rhythm disorder tied to sudden heart attacks and strokes. The study found that the bacterium can enter the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart, which could lead to scar tissue buildup, known as fibrosis, that distorts the heart’s architecture, interferes with electrical signals, and raises the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

It was earlier known that people with periodontitis, a common form of gum disease, are more prone to cardiovascular problems. One recent meta-analysis has linked it to a 30% higher risk of developing AFib. Atrial fibrillation is a potentially serious heart rhythm disorder that can lead to stroke, heart failure, and other life-threatening complications. In the past decade, AFib cases have nearly doubled; rising from 33.5 million in 2010 to roughly 60 million by 2019.