Constipation can cause bloating and discomfort, but a new study suggests it may also be linked to a more serious and unexpected health problem: major heart events.

The research specifically revealed a link between people who have constipation and a higher risk of serious cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and blowsespecially if they also have high blood pressure.

“Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressureObesity and smoking have long been recognized as key factors in heart disease. However, these factors alone do not fully explain the occurrence of major cardiac events,” study author and head of the Monash University Hypertension Research Group, Francine Marques, PhDsaid Health. “The gut microbiome is now a well-known risk factor for heart disease, and constipation influences it. »

While this isn’t the first study to suggest a link between constipation and cardiovascular events, experts say more research is needed to understand the relationship between the two. In the meantime, here’s what scientists know and whether you should be concerned if you’re frequently constipated.

In recent years, evidence has shown a link between intestinal microbiota and heart health, prompting scientists to examine how constipation might be addressed.

In 2023, a study found “suggestive causal associations” between constipation and atrial fibrillation, which is the most common type of condition. cardiac arrhythmia. However, the study did not link constipation to heart failure, stroke, or coronary heart disease. Another 2023 study found the opposite: In hospitalized patients over the age of 60 with both constipation and hypertension, the risk of all cardiovascular events was higher.

In this context, researchers set out to further study the interaction between constipation and heart disease. For the most recent study, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Cardiac and Circulatory Physiology—The scientists analyzed data from more than 400,000 people aged 40 to 69, compiled in the UK Biobank, a large biomedical database and research resource.

They reviewed medical records, surgical history, and death registry data to find any association between constipation and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) like heart failure, ischemic stroke, or acute coronary syndrome. . Constipation was defined as regular use of laxatives or being noted in medical records or hospital questionnaires. irritable bowel syndrome.

After adjusting for age, gender, BMI, use of medications that can cause constipation, smoking, and health conditions like high cholesterol and diabetes, the team found that people with constipation had a two to three times higher risk of having a major adverse cardiac event. compared to people with normal bowel habits. The study also found that constipation in patients with high blood pressure increased the risk of cardiac events by about 1.7 times.

“We identified constipation as a potential risk factor independently associated with higher prevalence of MACE,” the authors wrote.

Constipation accounts for between 21% and 27% of genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which the authors say could explain the link between the two. For example, genes could be responsible for “disruptions” in the autonomic nervous system, which regulates both cardiovascular and gastrointestinal functions.

In another study, researchers hypothesized that straining during bowel movements could cause an increase in blood pressure, which over time could potentially trigger cardiovascular events.

If you suffer from constipation, experts say there’s no need to jump to conclusions about your heart health. Although new research suggests a possible association between constipation and heart problems, no studies have established that one causes the other.

“There is absolutely no causality,” said Timothy Ritter, MDgastroenterologist and senior medical director of GI Alliance Research, about the most recent study. “People with constipation may have other problems that put them at high risk for cardiovascular disease.”

The study has several other limitations, including that it only included participants of white European ancestry, meaning the results may not be widely applicable. Some data was also self-reported and therefore may be inaccurate. And Ritter said Health that “constipation” was not well defined: did people use “a laxative every day, or just once a month, during menstruation?” »

The intermittent nature of constipation also makes it difficult to assess any relationship it might have with heart health, said Marie Branche, MDcardiologist in Greensboro, North Carolina. “So if you’re trying to find a link to an outcome with something that’s so transient and not like a definitive disease state,” she said. Health“It’s getting a little complicated to come to a conclusion.”

Because research is ongoing, Branch said, “it’s hard to know whether trying to regulate (constipation) would help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.”

However, there is a clear link between your gut microbiome and cardiovascular disease due to its role in management. inflammationBranch said. “Fiber improves bowel function, helping us avoid constipation, and also improves blood pressure, minimizing the risk of heart disease,” Marques said. “We recommend that regardless of the presence of constipation, people increase their dietary fiber intake, as most people are fiber deficient.”

Branch also suggested prioritizing your overall heart health by following the American Heart Association’s guidelines. This means engaging in consistent physical activity, eating a whole-food diet, prioritizing sleep, controlling cholesterol, and refraining from smoking.

“People want to find something new and sexy, a quick fix, but it just doesn’t exist,” Branch said. “It’s just about good, consistent habits.”