The study was published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology . Scientists analyzed data from more than 400,000 people from the UK Biobank database to examine the link between constipation and the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the US health website Healthline .

After analyzing the data, the team of scientists discovered that constipation can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular problems by up to 68%. Specifically, people who are often constipated have a 2.7 times higher risk of heart failure, a 2.4 times higher risk of stroke and a 1.6 times higher risk of heart attack.

The study authors believe that these new findings could help them pave the way for new treatments. In fact, frequent constipation could even be considered a warning factor for heart attack risk.

How to prevent and treat constipation

Constipation is caused by many different factors, from a diet lacking in fiber, drinking little water, drinking too much alcohol, side effects of medication or having some physical diseases. To prevent and treat constipation, people need to change their diet and lifestyle.

The first thing to do is drink plenty of water. Food and stool need water to move through the intestines easily. Dehydration causes stool in the intestines to become dry and is a common cause of constipation.

Another important way to prevent constipation is to eat plenty of fiber. You need to get enough fiber to keep your bowels moving properly. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and mushrooms are great sources of fiber for your intestines. Fiber softens stools and makes them easier to pass through your intestines, which helps prevent constipation. Experts recommend that adults eat about 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day.

In addition, people should also limit alcohol and eat foods that help stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as yogurt. Exercise also helps reduce constipation. Just exercising at least 30 minutes a day is enough to stimulate intestinal muscles to contract and reduce constipation, according to Healthline.