BOSTON - July 12, 2026 - A new study presented at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026 suggests a potential link between gum disease bacteria and the development of calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), a common and serious heart valve condition. The research, conducted on mice and human cardiac tissue, found that the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis may contribute to calcium buildup in the aortic valve, leading to narrowing and restricted blood flow.
Calcific aortic valve stenosis occurs when the aortic valve thickens and calcifies, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Currently, no medications can prevent or slow its progression, and severe cases require valve replacement surgery. According to the American Heart Association, the condition can cause fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, heart failure, and sometimes premature death.
Researchers measured bacterial levels in human cardiac valve tissue removed during valve replacement surgery. They compared samples from patients with CAVS and those with other valve diseases. "We were surprised by how much P. gingivalis was present in the calcified aortic valves," said co-lead author Chenyang Li, M.D., a Ph.D. candidate at Fuwai Hospital in Beijing. "Although it was not one of the most abundant bacteria overall, it showed one of the largest differences between valves with CAVS and valves without CAVS."
In mouse experiments, repeated exposure to live P. gingivalis led to bacterial accumulation in aortic valves, increased valve calcification, and symptoms of aortic stenosis. Preventive antibiotic treatment reduced these effects. The bacteria activated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), an inflammation-spurring protein. When researchers genetically deleted IL-1b in mice, calcification and valve symptoms were significantly reduced even in the presence of P. gingivalis.
"The key message is simple: take good care of your oral health," Li said. "Good oral hygiene and treatment of periodontal disease are important for overall health and may also have benefits for cardiovascular health." Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, chief medical officer for prevention for the American Heart Association, added, "This study adds to the growing evidence that oral health and heart health are closely connected."
The American Heart Association's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative provides dental care teams with professional education on the oral-health connection. The study's findings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers have started a clinical study to further evaluate the link between gum disease and CAVS.
