Researchers examined self-reported oral hygiene habits and coronary disease in 11,869 adults aged 35 and older (with a mean age of 50) from the Scottish Health Survey—a study conducted once every three to five years—between the years 1995 and 2003. The team, led by Cesar de Oliveira, a research fellow in epidemiology and public health at University College London, followed up with subjects after an average of eight years to see if they had had a heart attack or coronary disease.

Even though the researchers found that those who reported brushing their teeth less than twice a day were more likely to be male, older, smokers and to have other health issues (such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity), the team controlled for those variables and others and still found that tooth brushing is associated with cardiovascular disease.

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Also: carnitine supplements help in heart attack recovery.

A genetic therapy targeting and blocking microRNA in heart cells successfully and significantly improved cardiac functioning, which surprised and delighted scientists.

The results of the study provide evidence that even bits of the genetic material called microNA are important in the development of heart disease. The therapy developed by scientists and featured in the journal Nature

The study provides hard evidence that tiny pieces of genetic material called microRNA can play a key role in the development of heart disease.

The therapy, featured in the journal Nature, targets and blocks microRNA in heart cells.

A US specialist said that, with trials under way in other animals, human tests may be only a few years away.

The US and German scientists are focusing on one type labelled microRNA-21, and their role in a type of heart cell called the cardiac fibroblast, which helps provide the structure of the organ, and plays a critical role in the progressive scarring which stops it working properly in heart disease.

Until recently, that process was thought to be an irreversible one.

The researchers found that cells in a failing heart had higher levels of this microRNA, and linked it to a chemical signalling pathway which leads to the tissue damage found in the condition.

“This research suggests you can reverse or prevent aspects of heart disease.”

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