CAD

[gopo92]

I read that ulcerative colitis and crohn's disease can increase risk of CAD coronary artery disease...
Has anyone read ???
What could be the reason???.?

[jillbee7]

I believe that it has to do more with the whole inflammatory process that's going on in your body. So yeah, there's actual inflammation in your intestines, but all that inflammation activates immune cells and pro-inflammatory processes in your bloodstream.

Sorry, that's not a very clear explanation I know. I don't really understand it either.

[gopo92]

thank u for answering.
I have been suffering from UC since 10 years. that is y I was afraid. but how can intestinal inflammation cause problems in coronary arteries???

[jillbee7]

Hey. So it looks to me that the research suggesting this is pretty new, and there haven't been a lot of studies done to back it up yet. What they've suggested is that the chronic inflammation that goes on with UC and Crohn's somehow damages the endothelium in your body, resulting in some dysfunction. Endothelium lines the inside of veins and arteries, so if the endothelium was damaged or thickened in some way, then it's possible that CAD could develop.

Here is a link to the abstract of the study: http://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565%2808%2901109-9/abstract

Remember that this is super new research, and the study was really not very big at all. For now I wouldn't worry about it too much. Is this a hypothetical question, or is it for you? Checking your blood pressure regularly and going to the doctor for annual checkups can help to detect CAD or risk factors for it before it gets severe.

Hope that helped!

Jill

[jillbee7]

Hi,

I'm in pharmacy school and recently learned about ulcerative colitis and Crohn's, but they didn't mention that to us. I'll look into it and let you know what I find!

Jill