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According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, certain oral bacteria may contribute to the development of hypertension in postmenopausal women.
Oral bacteria increase the risk of hypertension?
The analyzes conducted so far have shown that blood pressure is usually higher in people with periodontal diseases. Now, for the first time, the relationship between oral bacteria and the development of hypertension has been explored.
Both periodontal disease and hypertension are especially prevalent in the elderly. Establishing the relationship between oral microflora and the risk of hypertension can help prevent hypertension through proper oral care and hygiene.
Researchers assessed the data of 1,215 postmenopausal women between 1997 and 2001. During recruitment, researchers recorded blood pressure and collected plaque from the mouth (under the gumline, where some bacteria maintain he althy gum and tooth structures, and others cause gum and periodontal disease). Women's medical history, medications, and lifestyle were also taken into account to assess whether there is an association between oral microflora and hypertension in older women.
At the time of starting the study
- around 35 percent of participants had normal blood pressure: readings below 120/80 mmHg, without antihypertensive medication
- almost 24 percent participants had elevated blood pressure: readings above 120/80 mm Hg without medication,
- around 40 percent participants had diagnosed and treated hypertension.
In plaque samples, 245 unique strains of bacteria were identified. Almost one-third of the women who did not have high blood pressure or were not treated for high blood pressure at baseline were diagnosed with hypertension during the follow-up period, which lasted an average of 10 years.
Detailed analysis
10 bacteria were associated with 10-16% of higher risk of developing hypertension; five other types of bacteria were associated with 9-18 percent of the lower risk of hypertension. These results were consistent even after adjusting for demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors that also contribute to the development of hypertension.
These findings are especially important for postmenopausal women as the occurrence of hypertension is more common in older women than in older men.