Heart disease with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common type of heart disease. It’s a medical condition of cholesterol buildup in the arteries (oxygen-rich blood vessels), specifically the ones located on the heart’s surface. Initially, most people don’t experience any symptoms with CAD. Over time, however, this cholesterol buildup may cause a blood flow blockage, resulting in symptoms of angina (chest pain), heart attacks, and death.
People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) — have a high risk for heart-related problems, such as heart attacks. This seems to especially be the case during IBD flare-ups.
When compared to the general public, a small 2020 study showed that people with IBD are more than six times as likely to have CAD — with heart attacks more than twice as likely to happen in people with CD.
This article will cover how Crohn’s disease (CD) and IBD medications can contribute to heart-related problems, other risk factors for heart disease, and ways to keep your heart healthy.
Can IBD Cause Heart Attacks?
People with IBD have chronic inflammation that contributes to heart-related problems, such as heart attacks. The following are some examples of how long-term inflammation may lead to heart-related problems:
Platelet dysfunction: Platelets usually stick together to stop bleeding. Too much platelet clumping may raise your risk of blood vessel clots (blockages) and heart attacks.
Blood vessel dysfunction: Blood vessels become more narrow and stiff. This may worsen CAD, where heart blood vessels are already having a build-up of cholesterol.
Lipid dysfunction: Inflammation of the digestive tract may affect how you break down and absorb nutrients, leading to lipid or cholesterol changes.
What are Other Risk Factors for Heart Disease?
Aside from IBD, the following are risk factors of developing CAD:
Being a female 55 years and older
Being a male 45 years of age or older
Dealing with a lot of stress
Engaging in minimal physical activity
Having a family history of heart disease
Having an unhealthy diet
Having low quality sleep
Smoking
The following are some examples of medical conditions that may also raise your risk for CAD:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
HIV
Mental health conditions, such as depression
Obesity
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune conditions
Talk with your health care provider if you’re experiencing chest pain or if you have several of these risk factors. They can advise you on next steps.
Preventing Heart Attacks and Managing Heart Disease
The following are some ways to help you prevent heart attacks and manage heart disease. These are general suggestions that may not apply to everyone, depending on factors — like your other medical conditions.
It might be overwhelming to make all of these changes happen at once. For this reason, talk with your health care provider, who can help you gradually make these changes.
Eating a Healthy Diet: Try to limit foods that are high in salt, saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol. Instead, consider eating foods that have more fiber.
Making Lifestyle Changes: Quit smoking or avoid second-hand smoke. Also, try to limit your alcohol intake to 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men.
Staying Physically Active: Consider working up to 30 minutes of brisk walking every day and lifting weights at least 2 times per week.
Managing Health Conditions: IBD, like a Crohn’s flare, may raise your risk for heart disease. Other health conditions — like high blood pressure — are also possible risk factors. Work with your health care provider to manage these conditions.
Takeaways
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common type of heart disease. While CAD has several risk factors, people with IBD are more than six times as likely to have heart-related problems. What’s more, people with Crohn’s are more than twice as likely to experience heart attacks. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent heart attacks and manage heart disease. Reach out to your health care provider to discuss the next best steps for you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ross earned her doctorate in pharmacy (PharmD) at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). Her years of experience practicing in various pharmacy settings also lead to multiple board certifications, including ambulatory care, geriatrics, and pharmacotherapy. She currently serves as the director of the PharmacyChecker international verification program.
Ross also founded Off Script Consults, a pharmacy consulting business. She strives to combine her passion for pharmacy, education, and writing to improve the quality of life and financial outcomes for people with chronic medical conditions, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
She particularly enjoys creating relatable and helpful content for her readers and viewers. For writing samples, please visit her Muck Rack portfolio. For videos, please visit her “Off Script Consults” YouTube channel.
Ross currently resides with her husband and two dogs in her home state of Texas to be closer to family. She also tries to find time for hobbies, which include rock climbing, running, and playing pickle ball.
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