New Study Links Constipation to Increased Cardiac Risk

Recent research, led by Professor Francine Marques from the School of Biological Sciences, highlights the connection between constipation and major cardiac events. This study, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, examined data from over 400,000 UK Biobank participants.

Professor Marques explains that "constipation, a prevalent yet frequently neglected health concern, may significantly contribute to cardiovascular disease." Traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking have established roles in heart disease. However, she noted, "these factors alone do not explain all instances of major cardiac events."

This study aims to investigate constipation as an overlooked risk factor. The research team analyzed data from 408,354 individuals and discovered 23,814 cases of constipation. The results indicated that those with constipation were more than twice as likely to face a major cardiac event compared to those without the condition.

Furthermore, a notable link was identified between constipation and hypertension. Hypertensive patients who also experienced constipation had a 34% higher risk of cardiac events than those with hypertension alone. "Our research suggests that constipation may intensify the cardiovascular risks tied to high blood pressure, raising the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes," stated Professor Marques.

In addition to epidemiological insights, the study explored possible genetic correlations between constipation and cardiovascular disease. Co-first author Dr. Leticia Camargo Tavares from Monash University stated, "Correlations were found between constipation and various forms of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), indicating shared genetic factors may be involved." This finding opens new research avenues regarding gut health's impact on heart health.

With constipation impacting around 14% of the global population, particularly older adults and women, these findings suggest many may face elevated cardiovascular disease risks due to bowel health. The authors call for further research to clarify the relationship between constipation and MACE while identifying the specific biological pathways involved. Potential mechanisms may include a ‘leaky gut.’ The research team is currently looking for study participants.

This groundbreaking study prompts a reevaluation of conventional cardiovascular risk factors, emphasizing the significance of gut health in heart disease prevention and management. As cardiovascular disease rates rise globally, these findings may facilitate new strategies in personalized medicine to identify individuals at higher risk and potentially decrease life-threatening cardiac incidents.

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