title: On call.  I am a 56-year-old man with high blood pressure.  At my last check-up, my dentist found gum disease and referred me to a periodontist for treatment.  I know that high blood pressure increases my risk of heart disease, and I've been told that gum disease does, too.  Is it true, and will the treatment help?
authors.forename: Harvey B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors