AIM: Studies have reported on an association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and periodontitis. The purpose of this case-control study was to provide an insight into this association by determining the plasma levels of some risk markers for CVD in cases with periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight cases with periodontitis, mean age 53.9 (SD 7.9) years, and 48 randomly selected healthy controls, mean age 53.1 (SD 7.9) years, were investigated. Fasting blood plasma was analysed for glucose, lipids, markers systemic inflammation, cytokines and antibodies against heat shock proteins (Hsp). The associations between periodontitis and the various substances analysed in plasma were calculated using a multivariate logistic regression model, which compensated for age, gender, smoking and body mass index. RESULTS: The regression analyses revealed a significant association between periodontitis and high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) [odds ratio (OR) 4.0, confidence interval (CI) 1.4-11.4] and fibrinogen (OR 8.7, CI 2.6-28.4), IL-18 (OR 6.5, CI 2.2-19.5), and decreased levels of IL-4 (OR 0.12, CI 0.0-0.5). The study showed increased levels of antibodies against Hsp65 (OR 2.8, CI 1-7.6) and 70 (OR 2.9, CI 1.1-7.8) and decreased levels of antibodies against Hsp60 (OR 0.3, CI 0.1-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis was associated with increased levels of CRP, glucose, fibrinogen and IL-18, and with decreased levels of IL-4.