A recent study found that people with congestive heart failure have different microorganisms on their tongues than people without congestive heart failure. This could lead to new ways to test heart conditions.
A 2022 study found a link between the microbes on your tongue and heart health.
This is not the first time that tongue microbes have been linked to human health.
More research is still needed into the microbes on the tongue and how it can help identify heart disease. However, this study could lead to the use of tongue microbes as an easy, non-invasive test for determining heart health.
Many studies have been conducted on the relationship between oral health and the heart. It is known that severe periodontal disease can have negative effects on the heart. A recent study investigated the relationship between the tongue and the heart.
The study used the principles of a technique used in traditional Chinese medicine called tongue diagnosis. The study compared the tongues of people with congestive heart failure (CHF) to those without the condition.
Researchers found that participants with CHF had different microorganisms on their tongues than those without CHF. Furthermore, the CHF patients’ tongues had a coating that was more red than pink and more yellow than white.
These findings are similar to the following findings.
Further research is needed into the relationship between tongue and heart disease risk. The current findings are considered experimental data. But if future studies replicate these results, testing cells on the surface of the tongue could become a quick, non-invasive way to monitor heart health in the future. .
Several tests can be used to diagnose heart conditions. The exact tests your doctor orders will depend on factors such as your symptoms and what your doctor thinks is causing them.
The tests needed to diagnose heart disease are:
- Blood pressure readings: Blood pressure measurements record the pressure in the cardiovascular blood vessels as the heart muscle contracts, pushing blood out, and then filling up again with blood. You may be able to monitor your blood pressure for several days by monitoring your blood pressure at home.
- Blood test: You may have blood drawn to obtain important information that will help your doctor make a diagnosis, such as cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, red blood cell count, and blood sugar levels.
- Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the heart. This helps doctors see how well your heart is contracting and relaxing and how well your heart valves are working.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG is a test that can measure and record the electrical activity of the heart. Helps find abnormalities in heart rhythm and heart rate. This test can be done in a lab or through a small device that you can wear to record your heart rate throughout the day.
- Stress test: A stress test monitors what happens to your heart rate during activity. You will be connected to her ECG machine during the test. You are then asked to walk on a treadmill or do a similar activity, and an electrocardiogram records your heart’s response.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI is an imaging test that can create images of the heart to help doctors examine blood vessels.
- Chest X-ray: A chest x-ray creates images of the heart that can help your doctor make a diagnosis.
- Cardiac catheter: Cardiac catheterization is an imaging test that can provide detailed information about how well your coronary arteries are functioning. During the test, a catheter is inserted into the artery and the coronary arteries are carefully fed. A special dye is injected into the catheter and an X-ray image is taken.
- Thallium scan: A thallium scan is a test performed by injecting a special radioactive substance called thallium into a vein in your arm. A small camera then measures the amount of thallium being carried through the bloodstream to the heart. Blockages or areas of poor blood flow will appear as dark areas on the scan.
A heart attack is always a medical emergency. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to call 911 or your local emergency services. Do not try to drive yourself to the emergency room.
The four most common symptoms of an impending heart attack are:
- Chest pain and discomfort: This pain may feel like tightness, fullness, or tightness in the chest.
- shortness of breath: Shortness of breath may occur before or at the same time as chest pain.
- Upper body pain: Heart attack pain often occurs in the jaw, back, neck, and one or both arms or shoulders.
- Lightheadedness: You may feel weak, lightheaded, dizzy, or faint.
Additional symptoms may occur when a heart attack occurs. These include cold sweats, fatigue, heart palpitations, nausea, and vomiting.
Read more about what to do if you or someone you know is experiencing heart attack symptoms.
A recent study found that people with congestive heart failure have different microorganisms on their tongues than people without congestive heart failure. Although more research is needed, this link between tongue microbes and heart health could lead to new ways to test heart conditions.
Doctors currently use tests such as echocardiograms, ECGs, stress tests, MRIs, chest X-rays, and coronary angiography to check the condition of the heart.
Symptoms of an impending heart attack include:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Pain radiating from upper body to jaw, neck, back, shoulders, and arms.
A heart attack is a medical emergency. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, please call 911.
