Constipation and Heart Disease
The Link between constipation & CVD
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First published: 11. Jan.2025
Overview
Constipation is a pervasive gastrointestinal disorder that affects between 14 and 20% of the population. It has a higher prevalence among older people and women.
A series of studies in different populations, using a large number of patients, have revealed a strong link between constipation, heart disease, and death due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This article examines some of these studies and the possible mechanisms by which constipation causes CVD.
References and Further Reading
(1) Judkins, C.P., Wang, Y., Jelinic, M. et al., (2023). Association of constipation with increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular events in elderly Australian patients. Sci Rep 13, 10943 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38068-y
(2) Honkura, K. et al., (2016). Defecation frequency and cardiovascular disease mortality in Japan: The Ohsaki cohort study. Atherosclerosis 246, 251–256
(3) Sumida, K. et al., (2019). Constipation and risk of death and cardiovascular events. Atherosclerosis 281, 114–120
(4) Sundbøll J, Szépligeti SK, Adelborg K, et al., (2020). Constipation and risk of cardiovascular diseases: a Danish population-based matched cohort study. BMJ Open 2020;10:e037080. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037080
(5) Tenghao Zheng, Leticia Camargo Tavares, Mauro D’Amato, and Francine Z. Marques, (2024). Constipation is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events in a UK population. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology 2024 327:4, H956-H964
About this Article
Constipation and Heart Disease, A. Whittall
©2025 Fit-and-Well.com. First Published: 11.Jan.2025. Update scheduled for 11.Jan.2028. https://www.fit-and-well.com/fitness/constipation-and-heart-disease.html
Tags: heart, constipation, fiber, health