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Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States.1,2*
 In conjunction with World Heart Day, September 26, it is our privilege to provide you with valuable insight into heart disease so you can better assess your personal risk. It is our hope that this information will equip and encourage you to make heart-healthy decisions today and every day.
Did you know there is a connection between heart disease and your oral health?
In fact, researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease.3 Good oral health not only helps keep the mouth and gums free from infection, but may also have a positive effect on heart health.
Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease.
Learn more about the link between your oral health and heart health, and download this helpful article on Keeping Your Teeth and Gums Healthy.
Flyer is available in Spanish as well.
For more information about heart health and other conditions, visit our health hubs at myOptumHealth.com.
 At myOptumHealth, visitors can find reliable medical information that is easy to read and understand. You have access to a broad spectrum of health and wellness topics for people at all stages of life, with a focus on health maintenance and disease prevention.
1. American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2006 Update. Dallas, Texas: American Heart Association, 2006.
2. Hoyert DL, Heron MP, Murphy SL, Kung H. Deaths: Final Data for 2003. National vital statistics reports; Vol. 54 No. 13. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2006.
3. Academy of Periodontology, http://www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.heart.htm.
* The term "heart disease" refers to the broadest category of "diseases of the heart" as defined by the International Classification of Diseases and used by CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. This category includes acute rheumatic fever, chronic rheumatic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, coronary heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, congestive heart failure and any other heart condition or disease.
This information was reproduced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/heartDisease/facts.htm.
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