A new study has revealed that one of the worst digestive problems – constipation – may now also be an early warning sign of heart disease. Researchers at Monash University in Melbourne say they found that constipation increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure.

Professor Francine Marks from Monash University’s School of Biological Sciences said, “Our study suggests that constipation, a common but often overlooked health issue, may be an important contributor to cardiovascular disease. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity and smoking have long been recognised as major drivers of cardiovascular disease.” “However, these factors alone do not fully explain the occurrence of major cardiovascular events. This study explored the potential role of constipation as an additional risk factor, leading to worrying results,” she said.

Researchers found that participants in the study, published in the American Journal of Psychology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, who suffered from constipation were more than twice as likely to develop a serious cardiovascular problem than those who did not suffer from constipation.

How is constipation related to heart attack and stroke?

Experts say your overall body health and gut health are linked to a variety of different health outcomes — including your heart health. If you don’t exercise or eat a balanced diet or consume highly processed foods, you probably won’t poop often — leading to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

Doctors say the problem is not the lack of bowel movements; rather, it may be lifestyle habits that cause these problems.

The researchers found in the study that when you strain on the toilet, it increases your blood pressure, which could be enough to cause harm. “Our research suggests that constipation may increase the cardiovascular risks associated with high blood pressure, making heart attack and stroke more likely,” Professor Marques said.

Professor Marques also said there is a genetic link between constipation and cardiovascular disease. Dr Leticia Camargo Tavares, co-first author of the study, told The Sun: “Positive genetic correlations were identified between constipation and a variety of major adverse cardiovascular events, indicating that shared genetic factors may be behind both conditions.”

Constipation is a global problem

According to statistics, more than 14 percent of people worldwide suffer from constipation – which suggests that a significant portion of the population is at risk of heart disease due to their bowel health.

Ways to prevent constipation

You can make some lifestyle changes to prevent constipation, including:

Eat more fiber

Fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains help improve gut function. It makes the stool bulky and helps retain fluids, giving it the right shape and weight to pass through the colon. According to doctors, you can gradually increase your fiber intake by adding wheat bran, oats or flaxseed to your diet or by eating sorbitol-rich fruits such as apples, apricots, grapes, raspberries and strawberries.

drink lots of water

Doctors recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water per day and avoiding caffeine, as caffeine can cause dehydration.

Exercise regularly

Regular physical activity helps stool pass through the colon.

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