Genetic Links Between periodontitis and chronic heart disease.

A recent study found genetic link between periodontitis and chronic heart disease (CHD). The geman scientists who found this quoted that both disease share atleast one genetic risk factor but its not necessary that the person who has periodontitis develops CHD.Both these disease share the same loci on the chromosome but exhibit opposite phenotypes ( 1,2).

Points to be noted: There is strong genetic link between periodontitis and CHD.
They share the same locus , but since the phenotypes are diffrent, they may have diffrent genetics, so one variant may have increased risk for periodontitis while other varian may have risk for CHD.
So patients with periodontitis should take more preventive steps and try reduce their risk factors for CHD.

Refrences:
1)Periodontitis and CHD: First Evidence of a Genetic Link
2)Identification of a Shared Genetic Susceptibility Locus for Coronary Heart Disease and Periodontitis