"Lifeline" Hosted by Joan Lunden is Covering Cardiovascular Disease and Gum Disease

Fort Lauderdale, FL, March 17, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of men and women in the United States. It’s been a major health issue contributing to over 2,000 deaths each day. Aggravating those statistics is periodontal disease - a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys bone and gum tissues that support the teeth. Periodontal disease affects almost 75 percent of Americans and is a major cause of adult tooth loss. However, managing one disease may reduce the risk for the other.

Cardiologists are now examining a patient’s mouth, and periodontists may begin asking questions about heart health and family history of heart disease. They are intertwined. Kenneth Kornman, DDS, PhD, Editor of the Journal of Periodontology, states, “Inflammation is a major risk factor for heart disease, and periodontal disease may increase the inflammation level throughout the body. Since several studies have shown that patients with periodontal disease have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, we felt it was important to develop clinical recommendations for our respective specialties. Therefore, you will now see cardiologists and periodontists joining forces to help our patients.”

Lifeline will be covering these topics in a joint effort to enlighten the public on the issues surrounding how your mouth affects your heart. Certainly additional and future research will help identify the precise relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease; still, emphasis has been placed on the role of inflammation.

*LifeLine and its programming are not affiliated with PBS. Our programs are independently produced and distributed to Public Television affiliate stations nationwide.

About LifeLine:

LifeLine is a compelling series distributed to Public Television nationwide. Each program addresses the latest issues impacting society today. For more information, visit us online at www.lifelineps.com.

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