Constipation can be a “significant contributor” to major adverse cardiac events (MACE), scientists have said.
Researchers from Monash University have found that constipation can trigger cardiovascular disease, heart failure, heart attacks and strokes.
Lead author Professor Francine Marques said: “Our study suggests that constipation, a common yet often overlooked health issue, may be a significant contributor to cardiovascular disease.
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“Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity and smoking have long been recognised as key drivers of heart disease. However, these factors alone do not fully explain the occurrence of major cardiac events.”
Professor Marques added: “This study explored the potential role of constipation as an additional risk factor, revealing concerning results.”
During the study, the team of researchers examined the health data of more than 400,000 people in the UK Biobank.
They detected 23,814 cases of constipation. The participants who regularly suffer from constipation were 50% more at risk of experiencing a major cardiac event compared to those without the condition.
In addition, the study has revealed that constipation is associated with an increased risk of hypertension.
According to the results, individuals with hypertension and constipation are 34% more likely to experience subsequent cardiac events compared to those with hypertension alone.
Professor Marques said: “Our research suggests that constipation may exacerbate the cardiovascular risks associated with high blood pressure, further increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.”
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Co-author Dr Leticia Camargo Tavares said: “Positive genetic correlations were identified between constipation and various forms of MACE, indicating that shared genetic factors may underline both conditions.
“This discovery opens new avenues for research into the underlying mechanisms that connect gut health and heart health. The implications of this study are far-reaching.”
Dr Tavares added: “With constipation affecting an estimated 14% of the global population, particularly older adults and women, these findings suggest that a significant portion of the population may be at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to their bowel health.”
The research study can be found here.
