Acute Myocardial Infarction and Periodontitis: Importance of Awareness and Prevention in Latin America

By 2030, non-communicable diseases will have accounted for more than three-quarters of deaths worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the leading cause of death worldwide for several years. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a CVD characterized by necrosis of the heart at the myocardial level due to prolonged ischemia caused by the reduction or sudden absence of coronary blood supply. The prevalence of AMI is higher in men at all ages. The incidence of AMI has decreased in industrialized nations; however, it has been on the rise in Latin America (LATAM) due to lifestyle changes. These changes have caused the combined incidence of CVDs and unresolved health concerns in LATAM, such as infections and malnutrition. It is well known that periodontitis, a highly prevalent chronic infectious inflammatory disease, has been associated with systemic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney diseases, and AMI. This review addresses proposed aspects of the correlation between periodontitis and AMI, explains the importance of preventing periodontitis and CVDs, and analyzes the preventative measures being implemented in LATAM, particularly in Mexico.