An international study led by Monash University researchers has found a surprising connection between constipation and an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. The study, led by Professor Francine Marques from the School of Biological Sciences and in the analyzed data from over 400,000 participants in the UK Biobank. "Our study suggests that constipation, a common yet often overlooked health issue, may be a significant contributor to ," said Professor Marques.
"Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as , obesity and smoking have long been recognized as key drivers of heart disease," she said. "However, these factors alone do not fully explain the occurrence of major cardiac events." "This study explored the potential role of constipation as an additional risk factor, revealing concerning results.
" The research team analyzed data from 408,354 individuals, identifying 23,814 cases of constipation. The findings showed that individuals suffering from constipation were more than twice as likely to suffer from a major cardiac event as those without constipation. Moreover, the study highlighted a particularly concerning link between constipation and hypertension.
Hypertensive individuals who also suffered from constipation were found to have a 34% increased risk of subsequent cardiac events compared to those with hypertension alone. "Our research suggests that constipation may exacerbate the cardiovascular ri.