Mind & Matter Bacterial Infection, Oral Hygiene, Atherosclerosis & Heart Disease | Pekka Karhunen | 256
Oct 5, 2025
Dr. Pekka Karhunen, a medical doctor and forensic pathologist, shares fascinating insights from his extensive research on the connection between oral bacteria and heart disease. He discusses how oxidized LDL cholesterol triggers inflammation in arteries, while oral bacteria can infiltrate arterial plaques, creating biofilms that evade immune detection. Pekka highlights the importance of oral hygiene and cholesterol control in preventing cardiovascular diseases, emphasizing lifestyle changes that can reduce risks associated with plaque buildup.
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Biobank From 10,000 Coronary Arteries
- Pekka Karhunen, as a forensic pathologist, opened about 10,000 coronary arteries and created a unique coronary artery biobank.
- This rare access allowed him to study plaque composition directly across many autopsies.
Oxidized LDL Triggers Chronic Artery Inflammation
- Oxidized LDL behaves like a foreign particle and triggers a chronic immune inflammation in coronary arteries.
- Macrophages ingest oxidized LDL and become dysfunctional foam cells that build atheromas.
Where Atheromas Form In Artery Walls
- Cholesterol flows into the artery wall where it can become oxidized and taken up by macrophages.
- Accumulating foam cells group to form cholesterol-rich atheromas inside the arterial wall.