Heart patients risk severe complications from dental procedures

Some heart patients face serious risks during dental procedures due to infections. A man named Greg Hutton, who has a heart condition, experienced this firsthand. After a routine dental treatment, he developed infective endocarditis, a dangerous heart infection that can be fatal. His condition has left him partially deaf and unable to work. Greg’s situation highlights a significant concern for patients with certain heart conditions, such as a bicuspid aortic valve, which affects one in 50 people in the UK. This condition can make dental procedures risky because they can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and reach the heart. Experts recommend giving preventative antibiotics to these patients before dental work. However, UK guidelines have changed over the years, causing confusion among dentists. Research indicates only about 78% of patients who should receive antibiotics before dental procedures actually do. Many dentists are hesitant to prescribe them due to unclear guidelines from health authorities. Greg was not given antibiotics before his treatment and soon suffered severe health problems, including a heart attack. Infective endocarditis leads to around 1,500 cases in the UK each year, with many linked to dental work. Some experts argue that all patients at risk should receive antibiotics for dental procedures. Greg’s experience emphasizes the need for better communication among health professionals about these risks and the importance of protecting patients who are vulnerable to infections.