Regina Barber

Like in a regular rapid heart rhythm? Yes. Right. AFib is common, affecting about 10 million U.S. adults. And now AFib isn't necessarily life-threatening, but it can be dangerous, especially for older people. And gum disease is also really common. It affects nearly half of U.S. adults.

Like in a regular rapid heart rhythm? Yes. Right. AFib is common, affecting about 10 million U.S. adults. And now AFib isn't necessarily life-threatening, but it can be dangerous, especially for older people. And gum disease is also really common. It affects nearly half of U.S. adults.

To study the connection, his team infected mice with a bacteria associated with gum disease and found that these mice developed AFib more easily than those without the bacteria. They also saw that mouth bacteria migrated to the heart, like in mice and in humans.

To study the connection, his team infected mice with a bacteria associated with gum disease and found that these mice developed AFib more easily than those without the bacteria. They also saw that mouth bacteria migrated to the heart, like in mice and in humans.

To study the connection, his team infected mice with a bacteria associated with gum disease and found that these mice developed AFib more easily than those without the bacteria. They also saw that mouth bacteria migrated to the heart, like in mice and in humans.

Still, like once the bacteria reaches the heart, the study authors think it may lead to tissue scarring or inflammation, which may contribute to all sorts of other problems like AFib.

Still, like once the bacteria reaches the heart, the study authors think it may lead to tissue scarring or inflammation, which may contribute to all sorts of other problems like AFib.

Still, like once the bacteria reaches the heart, the study authors think it may lead to tissue scarring or inflammation, which may contribute to all sorts of other problems like AFib.

Yes. Elizabeth Jackson is a cardiologist at University of Alabama at Birmingham, and she was not involved in the study, but she said it highlights the importance of good dental care and healthy living overall, like exercise, healthy food.

Yes. Elizabeth Jackson is a cardiologist at University of Alabama at Birmingham, and she was not involved in the study, but she said it highlights the importance of good dental care and healthy living overall, like exercise, healthy food.

Yes. Elizabeth Jackson is a cardiologist at University of Alabama at Birmingham, and she was not involved in the study, but she said it highlights the importance of good dental care and healthy living overall, like exercise, healthy food.

I mean, I am actually going to do that. Juana, thank you so much for coming on the show and talking about orange cats with us. That was my favorite. Yeah, we should get all our orange cats together. Cat party.

I mean, I am actually going to do that. Juana, thank you so much for coming on the show and talking about orange cats with us. That was my favorite. Yeah, we should get all our orange cats together. Cat party.

I mean, I am actually going to do that. Juana, thank you so much for coming on the show and talking about orange cats with us. That was my favorite. Yeah, we should get all our orange cats together. Cat party.

You can hear more of Juana on Consider This, NPR's afternoon podcast about what the news means for you. This episode was produced by Elena Burnett and Rachel Carlson. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Christopher Intagliata.

You can hear more of Juana on Consider This, NPR's afternoon podcast about what the news means for you. This episode was produced by Elena Burnett and Rachel Carlson. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Christopher Intagliata.

You can hear more of Juana on Consider This, NPR's afternoon podcast about what the news means for you. This episode was produced by Elena Burnett and Rachel Carlson. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Christopher Intagliata.

And I'm Regina Barber. Thank you for listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

And I'm Regina Barber. Thank you for listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

And I'm Regina Barber. Thank you for listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.