The Shocking Link Between Constipation and Heart Attacks That Could Save Your Life
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As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, and our health becomes a more complex puzzle with many interrelated pieces. One such piece that might seem trivial but could have significant implications is constipation. It's a common issue that affects more than 20% of the population, particularly among Australians over 60. While it's often brushed off as a mere inconvenience, recent research suggests that constipation could be a harbinger of more serious health concerns, including an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
A groundbreaking study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology has shed light on the potential dangers of constipation, especially when it comes to our cardiovascular health. Professor Francine Marques from the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University has dedicated the last eight years to exploring the connections between our gut microbiome and heart disease. Her team's findings are a wake-up call for anyone who has ever downplayed the severity of constipation.
The study delves into how changes in gut bacteria and the substances they produce can influence cholesterol levels, inflammation, and metabolic pathways, ultimately affecting the risk of cardiac events. The gut, as an organ, plays a pivotal role beyond just housing our microbiome. A thin wall of cells acts as a barrier, keeping bacteria and other substances contained within the gut. When this barrier is compromised, these elements can leak into the body, causing inflammation and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Constipation can be a symptom of such gut issues. It can indicate gut leaks and dysbiosis—an imbalance of harmful bacteria that can promote disease states. These conditions can slow down the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to constipation. Previous research has hinted at a connection between constipation and cardiac events in elderly, hospitalized patients, but Marques's study sought to determine if this link also existed in healthy individuals.
The findings were startling. After analyzing data from over 400,000 healthy adults over nearly two decades, the researchers discovered that individuals with constipation were twice as likely to experience a cardiac event. This association held true even when accounting for other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking, and it was also independent of medications known to cause constipation.
Moreover, those with both high blood pressure and constipation had a 34% higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease. The study also suggests a genetic component to these risks, with 20 to 27% of genetic variants being common between constipation and cardiovascular disease. However, more research is needed to pinpoint the exact genetic factors involved.
The common risk factors for both constipation and cardiovascular disease include a lack of dietary fibre and insufficient exercise. This raises the question: is constipation directly contributing to the risk of cardiovascular disease, or are they merely occurring simultaneously? Professor Garry Jennings, the chief medical adviser at the Heart Foundation, speculates whether the link could be due to many people with constipation not following a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and other sources of dietary fibre.
Marques's current research is investigating whether increasing dietary fibre intake could help restore the gut barrier and alleviating constipation. Dietary fibre comes in various forms, all of which are beneficial. Soluble fibre foods include oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley, and psyllium. Fermented fibre foods include kefir, yogurt with live cultures, kimchi, miso, and sauerkraut. Resistant starches are found in cereal foods like bread and pasta, as well as legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, and red kidney beans.
When gut microbes digest fibre, they release substances that can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health. These substances also nourish the cells in our gut, maintaining the integrity of the barrier. Strategies to increase fibre intake might, therefore, decrease the risk of both constipation and cardiovascular disease.
Jennings emphasizes the need for more research to fully understand the causal links between constipation and poor heart health. He also notes that straining during bowel movements can put a strain on the heart, which, while not a direct cause of cardiac issues, can trigger cardiac consequences in certain situations.
The implications of this research are clear: taking constipation seriously and addressing it through dietary changes and lifestyle adjustments could be a vital step in protecting your heart health. It's not just about comfort; it's about prevention and ensuring that your golden years are as healthy and fulfilling as possible.
We at the Seniors Discount Club encourage you to discuss any concerns about constipation or heart health with your healthcare provider. And remember, a diet rich in fibre isn't just good for your gut; it could be a lifesaver for your heart.
Have you experienced issues with constipation, or do you have a heart-healthy diet that works for you? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below. Your insights could help a fellow member in their journey to better health.
A groundbreaking study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology has shed light on the potential dangers of constipation, especially when it comes to our cardiovascular health. Professor Francine Marques from the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University has dedicated the last eight years to exploring the connections between our gut microbiome and heart disease. Her team's findings are a wake-up call for anyone who has ever downplayed the severity of constipation.
The study delves into how changes in gut bacteria and the substances they produce can influence cholesterol levels, inflammation, and metabolic pathways, ultimately affecting the risk of cardiac events. The gut, as an organ, plays a pivotal role beyond just housing our microbiome. A thin wall of cells acts as a barrier, keeping bacteria and other substances contained within the gut. When this barrier is compromised, these elements can leak into the body, causing inflammation and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
New study linked constipation to a doubled risk of heart attack and stroke. Credit: Unsplash
Constipation can be a symptom of such gut issues. It can indicate gut leaks and dysbiosis—an imbalance of harmful bacteria that can promote disease states. These conditions can slow down the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to constipation. Previous research has hinted at a connection between constipation and cardiac events in elderly, hospitalized patients, but Marques's study sought to determine if this link also existed in healthy individuals.
The findings were startling. After analyzing data from over 400,000 healthy adults over nearly two decades, the researchers discovered that individuals with constipation were twice as likely to experience a cardiac event. This association held true even when accounting for other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking, and it was also independent of medications known to cause constipation.
Moreover, those with both high blood pressure and constipation had a 34% higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease. The study also suggests a genetic component to these risks, with 20 to 27% of genetic variants being common between constipation and cardiovascular disease. However, more research is needed to pinpoint the exact genetic factors involved.
The common risk factors for both constipation and cardiovascular disease include a lack of dietary fibre and insufficient exercise. This raises the question: is constipation directly contributing to the risk of cardiovascular disease, or are they merely occurring simultaneously? Professor Garry Jennings, the chief medical adviser at the Heart Foundation, speculates whether the link could be due to many people with constipation not following a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and other sources of dietary fibre.
Marques's current research is investigating whether increasing dietary fibre intake could help restore the gut barrier and alleviating constipation. Dietary fibre comes in various forms, all of which are beneficial. Soluble fibre foods include oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley, and psyllium. Fermented fibre foods include kefir, yogurt with live cultures, kimchi, miso, and sauerkraut. Resistant starches are found in cereal foods like bread and pasta, as well as legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, and red kidney beans.
When gut microbes digest fibre, they release substances that can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health. These substances also nourish the cells in our gut, maintaining the integrity of the barrier. Strategies to increase fibre intake might, therefore, decrease the risk of both constipation and cardiovascular disease.
Jennings emphasizes the need for more research to fully understand the causal links between constipation and poor heart health. He also notes that straining during bowel movements can put a strain on the heart, which, while not a direct cause of cardiac issues, can trigger cardiac consequences in certain situations.
The implications of this research are clear: taking constipation seriously and addressing it through dietary changes and lifestyle adjustments could be a vital step in protecting your heart health. It's not just about comfort; it's about prevention and ensuring that your golden years are as healthy and fulfilling as possible.
We at the Seniors Discount Club encourage you to discuss any concerns about constipation or heart health with your healthcare provider. And remember, a diet rich in fibre isn't just good for your gut; it could be a lifesaver for your heart.
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