Common condition you might spot on the toilet is ‘early red flag of killer heart disease’

A common toilet problem some of us often complain about could be an early sign of heart disease, as researchers say the findings are 'concerning'.

Researchers from Monash University have been looking at what causes major adverse cardiac events (MACE), such as heart attacks, strokes and heart failure.

In the new study published earlier this week, the team looked at a sample size of 408,354 individuals to reach their conclusions.

It's important to keep tabs on a common toilet problem. (Getty Stock Images)

Surprisingly, they found a link between constipation and MACE, identifying 23,814 cases of it.

The findings showed that those suffering from constipation were twice as likely to have a major cardiac event, compared to those without it.

According to the NHS, constipation in adults is when there are changes to how you poo and how often you poo.

Thankfully, it is usually treatable with a diet and lifestyle change.

“Our study suggests that constipation, a common yet often overlooked health issue, may be a significant contributor to cardiovascular disease,” said Professor Marques, who led the study.

“Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking have long been recognised as key drivers of heart disease.

“However, these factors alone do not fully explain the occurrence of major cardiac events.”

Heart and circulatory diseases cause a quarter of all deaths in the UK. (Getty Stock Images)

The study also showed a link between constipation and hypertension (high blood pressure), as hypertensive individuals who also suffered from constipation were found to have a 34 percent increased risk of cardiac events compared to those with hypertension alone.

“This study explored the potential role of constipation as an additional risk factor, revealing concerning results,” she added.

“Our research suggests that constipation may exacerbate the cardiovascular risks associated with high blood pressure, further increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

“The implications of this study are far-reaching.

“With constipation affecting an estimated 14 percent of the global population, particularly older adults and women, these findings suggest that a significant portion of the population may be at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to their bowel health.”

What are the signs of constipation?

• not pooing at least three times during the last week
• pooing less often
• poo is unusually large or small, dry, hard or lumpy
• you are straining when you poo

What causes constipation?

• lack of fibre
• lack of fluids
• spending too much time sat down
• not exercising
• not going to the toilet when you need to
• a change in diet
• a side effect of medication
• stress, anxiety or depression

How can you treat constipation?

• eat a fibre-rich diet with wholegrains, fruit and vegetables
• avoid alcohol
• drink plenty of water

The full study has been published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology