Waking up with morning breath can be unpleasant - especially for your significant other - but did you know the foul smell could be a warning sign of heart disease?
Coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as ischaemic heart disease, describes what happens when your heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries, writes the NHS.
It is responsible for around 66,000 deaths in the UK each year, equivalent to 180 people each day, or one death every eight minutes.
Researchers at the Global Health Institute in Switzerland identified that a common bacterium, called Fusobacterium nucleatum, is linked to the development of the devastating disease.
The oral bacterium causes bad breath and gum disease, but scientists claim that it could be a potential risk factor for CHD.
Lead author of the research Flavia Hodel said: “Although enormous progress has been made in understanding how coronary heart disease develops.
"We wanted to help fill some of the gaps in our understanding of coronary heart disease by taking a more comprehensive look at the role of infections."
The research team analysed the health data, genetic information and blood samples from 3,459 people.
Within the 12-year follow-up period, around six percent of participants experienced a heart attack or another harmful cardiovascular event.
The team tested participants' blood samples for the presence of antibodies against 15 different viruses, six bacteria, and one parasite.
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Their findings suggested that antibodies against Fusobacterium nucleatum were linked to a slightly increased cardiovascular risk.
"Fusobacterium nucleatum might contribute to cardiovascular risk through increased systemic inflammation," explained Hodel.
The scientists explained that this is "due to bacterial presence in the mouth, or through direct colonisation of the arterial walls or plaque lining the arterial walls".
"Our results may lead to new ways of identifying high-risk individuals,” added co-author Jacques Fellay, a professor at the School of Life Sciences, Switzerland.
He said: “Or lay the groundwork for studies of preventive interventions that treat Fusobacterium nucleatum infections to protect the heart."
The team concluded that the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum could be used to identify patients at risk of CHD.
This screening tool can help identified people take preventive measures to ward off the disease, such as lifestyle changes.
What’s more, if the infection of Fusobacterium nucleatum is treated, it might help slash heart disease risk.
Reducing cardiovascular disease risk
Two of the most important factors are having healthy blood pressure and cholesterol.
An ideal blood pressure reading should be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
GP and author Dr Allswell E Eno shared several ways that your blood pressure can be brought down to healthier levels.
He advised: “Take regular aerobic exercise (as opposed to weights, aerobic exercise is the type that makes the heart race, e.g. running, swimming) from school age.
“Avoid getting overweight and don’t take up smoking.
“If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation (know your units; maximum recommended per week for men and women has remained at 14 units for the past 15 years or so). Reduce dietary salt intake.”
By exercising for at least 30 minutes daily, in addition to a healthy diet, you can lower your risk of CHD.
