**8. Conclusions**

Periodontitis has been considered a risk factor for CVD, although no causal relationship has been demonstrated to this point. Two potential biological mechanisms (periodontal bacteria and endotoxins systemic dissemination and release of inflammatory molecules from the affected periodontal sites into the blood stream) have been described to link periodontitis and atherosclerosis-induced CVD. Periodontitis may increase the risk for hypertension as well as for acute CV events myocardial infarction and stroke. In pregnant women, periodontitis may trigger adverse pregnancy outcomes and may worsen the chronic vascular changes in relation with pre-existing hypertension, which carries high maternal and fetal health risks. Periodontal screening in specialized medical care settings should be a component of the management of CVD. Periodontologists, cardiologists, and patients should be informed on the potentially negative influences of periodontitis on CVD development and its complications as well as on the positive impact of periodontitis treatment on CV status. All adjustments in antithrombotic treatment in periodontitis-CVD patients must be discussed and agreed upon with the responsible cardiologist.

### **Conflict of interest**

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

### **Thanks**

We would like to thank Mr. Josip Knapic for his understanding and support.
