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• Being physically active was tied to a 9% to 19% lower risk of stroke or death for moderate to high physical activity levels, in an analysis of more than 87,000 adults in Norway.
• Study participants had nearly the same health benefits from physical activity, regardless of whether they had an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation or not.
• While the largest benefit was noted among study participants who were the most active, benefits were also noted for people reporting low to moderate activity levels.

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026

DALLAS, Aug. 5, 2026 — Being physically active was linked to a lower risk of stroke and death for adults with atrial fibrillation, or AFib, according to new, independent research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

“In general, people with AFib appear to be less active than the general population,” said lead study author Kristoffer Johansen, Ph.D., a researcher at the School of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø. “The results from our study indicate that physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of stroke and death in individuals with and without atrial fibrillation. So, regular physical activity is important for all and could be an important preventive strategy for people with AFib.”

AFib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that occurs in the heart’s upper chamber known as the atria. According to the American Heart Association, it can lead to blood clots, stroke and other heart-related conditions. The prevalence of AFib in the U.S. was estimated at 10.55 million, equivalent to 4.48% of the adult U.S. population, according to data reported in the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics.  

The American Heart Association recommends all adults spend less time sitting and get

at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week. In addition, adults should participate in moderate muscle-strengthening activity at least twice a week.

The study tracked more than 87,000 adults in Norway for about 15 years, capturing information about AFib, stroke and death from national health registries.

What did the analysis find?

• Compared to adults who were inactive, adults with a low, moderate or high level of physical activity had a 9%, 19% and 18% lower risk of stroke, respectively.
• Having a low, moderate or high level of physical activity was associated with an 11%, 18% and 22% lower risk of death from any cause, respectively.
• These benefits were similar regardless of whether a person had AFib or not. This suggests that having AFib does not change the relationship between physical activity and stroke.
• For people with AFib, staying active was tied to living an average of 0.5 to 1.2 years longer compared to those who were inactive.

Previous research has suggested that people with AFib derive health benefits from regular physical activity. However, results have been somewhat inconclusive regarding the association between physical activity and stroke, Johansen said. This study suggests a positive impact of physical activity for people with AFib on both stroke risk and living longer.

“I hope our results will increase awareness among clinicians and people with AFib about the benefits of even low levels of physical activity,” Johansen said. “Real health benefits can happen no matter when a person starts getting active, and even a little exercise is better than nothing.”

Mina Chung, M.D., FAHA, co-chair of a 2023 joint guideline for Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation from the American Heart Association and other organizations, said this study “adds important evidence linking physical activity with lower risks of stroke and death in people with and without AFib.  

“It’s important to remember that physical activity may also reflect overall health. Still, the results motivate patients to be as active as they can – even lower levels of activity were associated with benefit, while moderate to high levels were linked to greater benefit,” added Chung, who is also a professor of medicine at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and cardiologist in the department of cardiovascular medicine, the section of cardiac electrophysiology & pacing within the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute and the Department of Heart, Blood & Kidney Research at the Cleveland Clinic Research and the Cleveland Clinic.

What are the study details, background, design and limitations?

• The study included health information for 87,340 participants from two large Norwegian health studies: the HUNT Study (including participants from the third and fourth survey conducted in 2006-08 and 2017-19) and the Tromsø Study (including participants from the sixth and seventh survey conducted in 2007-08 and 2015-16). Participants’ average age was about 51 years at time of enrollment in the studies. About 47% were men and more than 6,500 participants had AFib.
• Researchers divided people into four groups based on the level of regular physical activity participants reported, ranging from inactive to highly active. They specifically noted their frequency of physical activity ranging from never to almost every day; the duration of exercise ranging from less than 15 minutes to more than one hour; and the intensity of the exercise, ranging from “I take it easy without breaking into a sweat or losing my breath” to “I push myself to near-exhaustion.”
• The study used a multiple-records approach, meaning that if someone developed AFib during the follow-up, they were reclassified to the AFib group to ensure that the results of the AFib group were more accurate.
• Limitations: Instead of randomly assigning people to a specific treatment or control group in a lab, individuals reporting different physical activity levels at the start of the study were followed over time. The consequence of this participant non-randomized  grouping is that other unmeasured or imprecisely measured factors may have influenced the relationship between physical activity and stroke/death. For example, more active individuals tend to live a healthier lifestyle in general. Therefore, despite the fact that a statistical correction was made for several factors, the authors cannot exclude the possibility that other factors could have partially explained why physically active individuals had a lower risk of stroke and death. Also, people in the study reported their own activity levels, meaning they might have said they exercised more than they really did.

Johansen said similar results would be expected if this analysis was conducted based on adults in the U.S.

Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript.

Studies published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here.

Additional Resources:

• Multimedia is available on the right column of release link.
• After Aug. 5, view the manuscript online.
• American Heart Association health information: Getting Physically Active
• American Heart Association health initiative: Healthy for Good™
• American Heart Association news release: Move more for your health, not just for the scale (June 2026)
• Follow American Heart Association/American Stroke Association news on X @HeartNews
• Follow news from the Journal of the American Heart Association on X @JAHA_AHA

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173

Bridgette McNeill: bridgette.mcneill@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

• A study evaluating the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology 2025 guideline on high blood pressure found that among 81 million U.S. adults with high blood pressure and no cardiovascular disease, nearly 23 million (28%) may be newly eligible for blood pressure-lowering medication.
• More than 9 million people who may need medical treatment to achieve optimal blood pressure may not currently be getting it.
• Researchers found that people with high blood pressure and higher cardiovascular disease risk may need more than lifestyle changes to manage their blood pressure. Combining lifestyle changes along with taking blood pressure medication can be an effective strategy to lower blood pressure.

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Wednesday, July 29, 2026

DALLAS, July 29, 2026 — Nearly 23 million Americans with blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg or higher may be eligible for blood-pressure-lowering medications based on the 2025 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guideline, according to new, independent research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Heart Association.

The 2025 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology High Blood Pressure guideline advises lifestyle changes — eating a healthy diet, managing weight, getting regular physical activity and reducing salt and alcohol — as a key part of treatment for high blood pressure, with medication prescribed if appropriate. The guideline also suggests healthcare professionals use the American Heart Association’s PREVENT^TM (Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs) risk equations to calculate 10-year cardiovascular disease risk among adults (ages 30-79 without known cardiovascular disease) with high blood pressure who do not have established cardiovascular disease.

This study is one of the first detailed assessments of the 2025 guideline on high blood pressure and updated cardiovascular disease risk estimates using the PREVENT risk equations.

“Through this study, our goal was to understand how many people may qualify for treatment according to the updated recommendations in the guideline and estimate how many deaths from any cause and from cardiovascular disease may be prevented in the long term if the guideline recommendations were applied and untreated patients received care that included medication,” said study lead author Mustafa Al-Jarshawi, M.B.Ch.B., M.Sc., MRCPUK, PgCert, an academic clinical fellow in cardiology, member of the Cardiovascular Research Group at the Centre for Prognosis Research at Keele University in the United Kingdom and honorary research fellow at the Centre for Health Informatics, University of Manchester.

Researchers examined links between blood pressure treatments and rates of deaths from all causes and from cardiovascular conditions. Their analysis predicted how many lives may be saved if treatment plans outlined in the 2025 guideline were prescribed.

The data analysis found:

• 81 million U.S. adults had a diagnosis of high blood pressure. Of these, 22.8 million (28%) were guideline-eligible for therapy based on a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher. 13.1 million (57%) adults were already receiving treatment for high blood pressure, while 9.7 million (43%) remained untreated. Please note: The blood pressure readings were measured during one office visit for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2009 and 2018. The current guideline advises taking multiple readings during multiple office visits. This is an important study limitation.
• The analysis estimates that, among eligible adults, receiving blood pressure-lowering medications was associated with a 23% lower risk of dying from any cause and a 50% lower risk of dying from heart-related issues. This was compared to eligible adults who do not receive treatment.
• If treatment with medications was extended to all untreated but eligible adults, the analysis estimates approximately 200,000 all-cause deaths and 162,000 cardiovascular deaths may be prevented during the next decade.
• People eligible for high blood pressure treatment with medication who would benefit most were older, with an average age of 66, and had more health conditions, including diabetes, chronic kidney disease and other cardiovascular disease risk factors.

“What stood out most was the size of the treatment gap — more than 40% of people who were clearly eligible under the new guideline were not receiving treatment, as well as the scale of the potential benefit,” Al-Jarshawi said.

“Lifestyle modification remains the foundation of high blood pressure management. Maintaining a healthy weight, consuming a heart-healthy diet, reducing sodium intake, increasing physical activity, getting enough sleep, managing stress and limiting alcohol can meaningfully lower blood pressure and overall cardiovascular risk,” said study senior author Mamas A. Mamas, M.D, DPhil., Professor of Cardiology at Keele University and Honorary Professor of Population Health at the University of Manchester. “For many people, especially those with blood pressure under 140/90 mm Hg and no history of heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease or diabetes, lifestyle changes can be enough at first. If your 10-year risk of heart disease is low, with a PREVENT score under 7.5%, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you delay or avoid needing medication. Even if you do need medication to lower blood pressure, making lifestyle changes is important for effective treatment and overall health.”

“The 2025 guideline emphasizes a personalized approach to managing high blood pressure by considering blood pressure levels plus 10-year and 30-year overall cardiovascular disease risk. The American Heart Association’s PREVENT risk equations help to identify individuals who could benefit from treatment before a major cardiac event,” said Chair of the American Heart Association’s 2025 guideline writing committee Daniel W. Jones, M.D., FAHA.

“Controlling blood pressure is crucial for long-term health. While lifestyle changes are the foundation for better overall health, people with high blood pressure and higher risk for cardiovascular disease may also need medication to reduce the risk of serious complications from untreated high blood pressure. Healthcare professionals should assess overall cardiovascular risk and work together with their patients to combine lifestyle strategies and medication for optimal blood pressure control.” Jones, who was not involved in this study, is a past volunteer president of the American Heart Association (2007-2008) and is dean and professor emeritus of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi.

Study details, background, design and limitations:

• The study had 53% male and 47% female participants, 9.4% had chronic kidney disease, 17 % had diabetes, 47% had dyslipidemia and 15% were current smokers.
• The participants self-identified as 70% white adults, 12% Black adults, 7.2% Mexican American adults, 5.8% multiracial adults and 4.2% other Hispanic adults.
• Study limitations include that researchers did not randomly assign the treatment, which means other unmeasured factors may have influenced treatment and the results. Since blood pressure was measured during a single NHANES visit and researchers examined treatment at only one point in time, the study could not capture how patients’ medication use or treatment routines may have changed over time as they worked with their healthcare teams.

Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript.

Studies published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here.

Additional Resources:

• Multimedia is available on the right column of release link.
• After July 29, view the manuscript online.
• American Heart Association news release: New high blood pressure guideline emphasizes prevention, early treatment to reduce CVD risk (August 2025)
• American Heart Association health information: High Blood Pressure
• American Heart Association health information: Life's Essential 8
• American Heart Association health information: Managing Stress to Control High Blood Pressure
• American Heart Association health information: Managing Blood Pressure with a Heart-Healthy Diet
• Follow American Heart Association/American Stroke Association news on X @HeartNews
• Follow news from the Journal of the American Heart Association on X @JAHA_AHA

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173

Karen Astle: Karen.Astle@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

• In an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study compared with U.S. Census data from 1990-2021, researchers found that people with congenital heart disease living in states with lower average household incomes and fewer people with health insurance had higher rates of death and disability.
• The research authors hypothesize that this difference may be due to easier access to specialized care and treatment from adult congenital heart disease cardiologists in communities with higher income levels and more residents with health insurance. Congenital heart disease requires lifelong, regular access to specialized cardiac care.
• Expanding access to expert care, particularly in under-resourced regions of the U.S., could play a profound role in improving survival and quality of life for adult congenital heart disease patients.

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Wed., July 15, 2026

DALLAS, July 15, 2026 — People with congenital heart disease living in states with low household incomes and limited access to health insurance and the specialized care they need may be more likely to become disabled or die from congenital heart disease, according to new, independent research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

Over the past 30 years, more children with congenital heart disease have survived into adulthood due to better surgical and catheter-based treatments, as well as improvements in medical care. As these children grow into adults, they continue to require specialized cardiac care, as recommended by evidence-based American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines, to maintain lifelong health and well-being. 

This is one of the first studies to examine the connection between the health and survival of adults with congenital heart disease based on state-level data from the Global Burden of Disease Study along with income and insurance data from the U.S. Census, spanning from 1990 to 2021. Researchers examined the relationship among income levels, disability and death rates for nearly 300,000 adults with congenital heart disease aged 20 years and older.

“Understanding how social and economic factors can influence survival and outcomes is essential. Long-term outcomes and quality of life depend heavily on access to specialized, lifelong care for people with congenital heart disease,” said senior author Anitha John, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the Washington Adult Congenital Heart Program at Children’s National in Washington, D.C. “Seeing how these factors affect patients long term allows us to better identify people at highest risk for complications. Then we can work toward improving access and reducing care gaps for people who have congenital heart disease.”

What are the key findings of the analysis?

• As median household income increased in a state, the death rate for people with congenital heart disease decreased.
• The relationship between death rate and individual income levels was stronger than the connection between death rates and the percentage of residents without insurance in each state. This suggests that simply having health insurance did not guarantee that people accessed the specialized care required for congenital heart disease. One reason for this might be differences in types of insurance coverage versus the overall presence of insurance.
• Geography and access to resources (namely, specialized cardiac care) likely play a profound role in death and disability in adults with congenital heart disease in the U.S. More research is needed to understand these connections and their impact on the health, well-being and survival of people with congenital heart disease.  

“While having health insurance does matter, it does not explain the differences we found in terms of how long people with congenital heart disease live,” John said. “This indicates that insurance alone doesn’t guarantee access to care. People may still face barriers if their insurance doesn’t cover specialized heart care or if out-of-pocket costs are too high. In many cases, specialized care may not be available in their area at all. We need to make sure everyone with congenital heart disease has the same access to specialty care throughout their lifetime, regardless of where they live.”

“We also need more trained specialists in adult congenital heart conditions. These medical experts should be more evenly distributed across the country, particularly where congenital heart disease patients live and work. Additionally, we need better systems to help patients get referred to the right care throughout their lives,” she said. “Expanding telehealth and improving insurance networks may also help to improve access.”

Michelle Gurvitz, M.D., an American Heart Association volunteer expert and chair of the writing committee for the 2025 ACC/AHA/HRS/ISACHD/SCAI joint Guideline for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease, said, “The 2025 guideline outlines when to seek expert assistance and how specialists can work together with other healthcare providers to enhance access to care. Many patients stop receiving specialized care when they transition from pediatric to adult care. Additionally, this study shows that some patients cannot see specialists because of issues such as insurance or their location.” Gurvitz, who was not involved in this study, is also a cardiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.

According to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, congenital heart defects (heart or blood vessel issues that are present at birth) are one of the most common birth defects around the world. Congenital heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. from a condition present since birth.

What are the study details, background, design and limitations?

• Researchers reviewed data on death rates and ”disability-adjusted life years“ – the number of healthy life years lost due to a condition.
• Income levels, including household income and insurance status (considered uninsured if they lacked coverage for a full year), detailed by state were secured from the U.S. Census Bureau data.
• The findings show associations among the data points such as income, but cannot be interpreted as cause and effect. The associations found in the analysis may be influenced by factors like access to care, which the researchers could not directly measure.

Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript.

Studies published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here.

Additional Resources:

• Multimedia is available on the right column of the release link
• After July 15, view the manuscript online.
• American Heart Association news release: ACC/AHA issue new guideline on managing congenital heart disease in adults (Dec. 2025)
• American Heart Association news release: Research grants awarded to advance understanding of no. 1 birth defect (Feb. 2025)
• American Heart Association scientific statement: Coordinated care important for children with Down syndrome and congenital heart disease  (Sept. 2024)
• American Heart Association scientific statement: Latest research redefines neurodevelopmental risks, outcomes for congenital heart disease  (Feb. 2024)
• American Heart Association news release: Adults with congenital heart disease faced higher risk of abnormal heart rhythms (April 2024)
• Follow American Heart Association/American Stroke Association news on X @HeartNews
• Follow news from the Journal of the American Heart Association on X @JAHA_AHA

###

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries and AHA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173

Karen Astle: Karen.Astle@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

• A lab study investigating mouse and human cardiac tissue found a potential link between gum disease (periodontitis) and a narrowing of the aortic valves (aortic valve stenosis).
• Currently, there is no medication or treatment available that can prevent or slow the progression of aortic valve stenosis.
• However, these findings suggest that treating gum disease and associated inflammation of the gums might help prevent the most common form of heart valve disease.
• Note: The study featured in this news release is a research abstract. Abstracts presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, and the findings are considered preliminary until published as full manuscripts in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Embargoed until 8 a.m. CT/9 a.m. ET, Sunday, July 12, 2026

BOSTON, July 12, 2026 — Gum disease bacteria may spur calcium buildup in the heart’s aortic valve, leading to a common and serious heart valve disease, according to preliminary, independent research presented at the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026. The meeting, in Boston, July 13-16, 2026, is one of the largest meetings globally dedicated to fundamental and translational research in cardiovascular science.

According to the American Heart Association, calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) occurs when the aortic valve thickens and calcifies, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. In early stages, there may be no symptoms; however, as the condition progresses, it can cause fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, heart failure and sometimes premature death. Standard treatment for severe CAVS is valve replacement surgery.

This study identifies a potential biological pathway linking chronic oral gum disease and infection to calcific aortic valve stenosis.

“There are currently no medications proven to prevent or slow the progression of CAVS. We hope our findings demonstrating the link between periodontal disease and CAVS will stimulate further research into new preventive and therapeutic approaches for this condition,” said co-lead author of the study, Chenyang Li, M.D., a Ph.D. candidate in the department of cardiology at the State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease of Fuwai Hospital’s National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College all in Beijing.

The researchers focused on the bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), which plays a disproportionately large role in causing gum inflammation and the destruction of gum tissue. P. gingivalis has also previously been associated with systemic inflammation and the risk of cardiovascular disease, including plaque buildup in the arteries and coronary artery disease.

The researchers measured different bacterial levels in human cardiac valve tissue removed during valve replacement surgery. They studied samples from people with CAVS and from those with other valve diseases.

“We were surprised by how much P. gingivalis was present in the calcified aortic valves,” Li said. “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. This unexpected finding led us to investigate its potential role in the development of CAVS.”

Using mice, researchers also explored how P. gingivalis might be linked to the development of CAVS. Researchers gave mice live and heat-inactivated P. gingivalis to see if the bacteria built up in the aortic valve, caused more calcification and led to symptoms of aortic stenosis. Some mice received antibiotics, while in others the IL-1β inflammatory pathway was genetically disabled or removed.

Researchers found that repeated exposure of mice to live P. gingivalis led to the accumulation of bacteria in aortic valves, increased valve calcification and symptoms of aortic stenosis, while preventive antibiotic treatment reduced these effects. In the mouse valve cells, P. gingivalis activated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), an inflammation-spurring protein made mainly by the body's immune cells.

In further testing, when researchers genetically deleted IL-1b in the 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. While it is still too early to recommend specific treatments for preventing CAVS, our findings suggest that periodontal health could be an important piece of the puzzle.”

“This study adds to the growing evidence that oral health and heart health are closely connected,” said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, chief medical officer for prevention for the American Heart Association. “For many people, regular visits to the dentist are their only connection to the healthcare system. That makes dental professionals important partners in spotting health conditions, including periodontal disease early — which can lead to quicker healthcare referrals and results, better health and lives saved.”

The American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative provides dental care teams with professional education highlighting the connection between oral health and heart health, a standard blood pressure screening and referral guide for patients in dental settings, and educational materials for patients to help improve both their oral and heart health.

The study has limitations because its findings have not been confirmed in people. The researchers have started a clinical study to further evaluate the link between gum disease and CAVS.

Co-authors, their disclosures and funding sources are listed in the abstract.

Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the meeting. The findings are considered preliminary independent research until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here.

Additional Resources:

• Multimedia is available on the right column of the news release link.
• American Heart Association Scientific Statement news release: Gum disease may be linked to plaque buildup in arteries, higher risk of major CVD events (Dec. 2025)
• American Heart Association news release: New resources help dentists identify patients at risk for cardiovascular disease (Nov. 2025)
• American Heart Association news release: Regular dental flossing may lower risk of stroke from blood clots, irregular heartbeats (Jan. 2025)
• American Heart Association news release: Treating gum disease after heart rhythm ablation reduced risk of AFib recurrence (April 2024)
• American Heart Association health information: Oral Health
• Follow AHA/ASA news from the meeting on Twitter @HeartNews, #BCVS26

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BCVS is one of the largest meetings in the world dedicated to fundamental and translational research to improve heart health, a goal that the pandemic has only made more critical. Presented by the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Council, the 2026, in-person conference attracts leading researchers in fields such as microRNAs, cardiac gene and cell therapy, cardiac development and also includes tissue engineering and iPS cells. Follow the conference on X at #BCVS26.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries and AHA Expert Perspective:

AHA Communications & Media Relations in Dallas: ahacommunications@heart.org

Karen Astle: Karen.astle@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

• A new, global analysis finds atrial fibrillation/flutter and breast cancer rates may follow similar risk factors and patterns across regions, particularly among women ages 55 and older.
• In about 40% of the 204 countries and regions evaluated, the rates of both breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter were similar in older women, with the highest-risk zones in Western nations.
• Researchers identified modifiable risk factors, particularly alcohol use and smoking, which could substantially reduce the impact of both conditions.

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Wed., July 8, 2026

DALLAS, July 8, 2026 — Alcohol use and smoking were linked to breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter in women ages 55 years and older in multiple regions of the world, according to new, independent research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

The number of breast cancer and atrial fibrillation, also called AFib or irregular heartbeat, cases represent a growing global health burden, according to study authors. Why these conditions have similar rates in specific parts of the world is not well understood.

“Identifying shared risk factors is important for developing interventions that support optimal health, such as smoking cessation and alcohol restriction, which could potentially reduce the global incidence of breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter substantially,” said study co-author Shu Wang, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Breast Disease Center at Peking University People’s Hospital in Beijing.

In this analysis, researchers investigated the rates of breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter in women ages 55 and older in 204 countries and regions worldwide. They evaluated women’s exposure to 58 shared and distinct health, behavioral and lifestyle risk factors, including smoking, alcohol use, body mass index and physical activity.

What are the results of the analysis?

• Researchers noted 80 countries or territories of 202 (39%) had similar rates of both breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter. About 65 countries (32%) were noted to be breast cancer-dominant, and 57 countries (28%) were atrial fibrillation/flutter-dominant.
• After accounting for multiple variables, smoking and alcohol use were linked to higher rates of both breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter.
• An additional analysis found that reducing alcohol intake and smoking could potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer by about 15% and the risk of atrial fibrillation/flutter by about 12% worldwide.
• Alcohol use was found to be a significant contributor to breast cancer (9.27% of cases) and atrial fibrillation/flutter (7.57% of cases).
• High-income and developed nations, such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and much of Europe, exhibited elevated rates of both breast cancer and AFib, aligning with previous research linking Western diets and sedentary lifestyles to increased risks of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions and cancer.

“One of the most surprising aspects of our findings was how common both breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter diagnoses were among women ages 55 and older in high-income regions, which highlights the influence of lifestyle,” Wang said. “This is the first study combining global data with machine learning to show the relationship between the conditions, their location across the world and the shared risk factors of these two conditions.”

The study results revealed high-risk zones were mostly in Western countries where there was greater exposure to smoking and alcohol use compared to Eastern regions, which can be attributed to differences in lifestyle, as well as social and community differences. Additionally, Western nations were more likely to have exposure to more types of risk factors, such as higher body mass index and more sedentary lifestyles, due to industrialization and transitions to more Western diets.

"Nowadays, more and more people are paying attention to the link between cancer and cardiovascular health," said study co-authors Zeye Liu, M.D., Ph.D., a surgeon in the department of cardiac surgery of Peking University People’s Hospital, and Yi Shi, M.D., Ph.D., the director of the department of cardiac surgery at Peking University People’s Hospital in Beijing. "Breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter rise together across many regions of the world and share the same modifiable risk factors. From a cardiovascular perspective, this means that reducing smoking and alcohol use could help lower the risk of both conditions at the same time."

“Many of the same modifiable factors,­­ including smoking, alcohol use, poor diet, physical inactivity and obesity, ­­contribute to both breast cancer and cardiovascular disease including atrial fibrillation/flutter, as confirmed by this study’s findings,” said Laxmi Mehta, M.D., FAHA, chair of the American Heart Association’s Council on Clinical Cardiology. “This overlap underscores the importance of integrated lifestyle strategies to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 highlights key behaviors and health factors essential for prevention and reducing risk.” Mehta, who was not involved in the study, is also the director of preventative cardiology & women's cardiovascular health, the Sarah Ross Soter Endowed Chair in Women’s Cardiovascular Health Research and professor of internal medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.

The American Heart Association has previously identified that breast cancer and cardiovascular disease share some common risk factors that may be prevented through modifications like a healthy diet, physical activity, abstinence from tobacco and low alcohol intake, according to a 2018 Scientific Statement.

The newly developed spatial risk maps as part of this study can help guide region-specific prevention strategies and provide precise targets for future research. According to the researchers, the next step will be to incorporate long-term research, genetic and metabolic data into the analysis. Additionally, expanding the study to include socioeconomic factors will help develop individualized and region-specific prevention strategies.

What are the details, background, design and limitations of the study?

• Researchers evaluated data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database to understand the incidence of breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter, identifying the shared and distinct risk factors of both conditions.
• The analysis focused on women 55 years of age and older in 204 countries and territories worldwide.
• This is the first study to utilize machine learning to investigate the patterns across the globe, the relationship to breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter co-occurring and the underlying region-specific risk drivers. Researchers created worldwide maps for healthcare professionals and policymakers to address prevention strategies customized to each region.
• The analysis examined exposure to 58 risk factors that were both shared between conditions and distinct, that spanned environmental, lifestyle and metabolic factors, with 2 key risk factors primarily contributing to both conditions.
• Study limitations include that it reviewed a large global database with broad healthcare information by country, which lacks data at the individual level, and the findings cannot prove any direct cause and effect. In addition, the country-level data may be limited based on the country’s resources to collect information, potential differences in screening and possibly inconsistent parameters for the conditions.

Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript.

Studies published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here.

Additional Resources:

• Multimedia is available on the right column of release link.
• After July 8, 2026, view the manuscript online.
• American Heart Association news release: 6 in 10 U.S. women projected to have at least one type of cardiovascular disease by 2050 (Feb. 2026)
• American Heart Association Scientific Statement: Alcohol Use and Cardiovascular Disease (July 2025)
• American Heart Association health information: What is Atrial Fibrillation?
• American Heart Association health initiative: Go Red for Women
• Follow American Heart Association/American Stroke Association news on X @HeartNews
• Follow news from the Journal of the American Heart Association on X @JAHA_AHA

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