Scientists have deduced that preventions for gallstone disease could also help to improve heart health. | File image
+ Technology/Innovation
LocalLabs News Service | Sep 10, 2016

Heart disease risk may rise with gallstone disease

The American Heart Association recently released a study that suggests a history of gallstone disease makes it more likely that patients will develop heart disease.

The study, in the Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology journal report, states that patients who have a history of gallstone disease are 23 percent more likely to develop coronary heart disease.

From the research, scientists have deduced that preventions for gallstone disease could also help to improve heart health. This is not surprising, as there are several similar risk factors between gallstone disease and coronary heart disease, like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and poor nutrition.

Gallstone disease is among the most common and most experienced gastrointestinal disorders found in the U.S. This makes it a high priority for researching prevention methods.

The study was a meta-analysis that featured seven studies. In total, there were 842,553 participants with 51,123 cases of coronary heart disease. With this information, the scientists analyzed the connection between gallstone history and coronary heart disease.

“Our results suggest that patients with gallstone disease should be monitored closely based on a careful assessment of both gallstone and heart disease risk factors,” Dr. Lu Qi, senior study author and professor of epidemiology at Tulane University, said. “Preventing gallstone disease may also benefit heart health.”

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