BREAKING! Researchers Warn That Inflammatory Bowel Disease Raises Risk of Heart Attacks and Blood Clots
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 17, 2025 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 day, 30 minutes ago
Medical News: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Poses Dangers Far Beyond the Gut
A new large-scale medical study warns that individuals living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—face significantly higher risks of developing heart problems, strokes, blood clots, and even death. The study analyzed data from over 1.4 million IBD patients across 53 international studies and found clear patterns linking chronic gut inflammation to serious cardiovascular and thromboembolic complications.
Large study confirms IBD can silently trigger deadly heart and clot complications
Conducted by researchers from Karachi Medical and Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, King Edward Medical University in Pakistan, along with collaborators from the University of Michigan and Mayo Clinic in the United States, this comprehensive review offers a stark reminder that IBD should be viewed as a systemic condition, not just a gastrointestinal one. According to this
Medical News report, long-term monitoring and management strategies for heart and blood vessel health are crucial for IBD patients.
Major Health Risks Found in IBD Patients
The study found that people with IBD have a:
-25% higher risk of ischemic heart disease and heart attacks
-43% higher risk of acute coronary syndrome
-24% higher risk of heart failure
-20% higher risk of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeats)
-13% higher risk of strokes
These individuals were also significantly more likely to develop peripheral artery disease (41% higher risk) and diabetes mellitus (40% higher risk). Blood clots presented some of the most alarming statistics:
-98% higher risk of venous thromboembolism
-185% higher risk of deep vein thrombosis
-98% higher risk of pulmonary embolism
In addition, IBD patients were 14% more likely to die from cardiovascular causes and had a 53% increased risk of death from any cause compared to individuals without IBD.
Why IBD Causes More Than Just Gut Problems
Researchers say that the chronic inflammation triggered by IBD may affect blood vessels and the heart. Inflammatory chemicals like TNF-alpha and various interleukins play a role in damaging the inner lining of blood vessels, increasing the risk of blood clots and atherosclerosis. Medications commonly used to treat IBD, such as corticosteroids and JAK inhibitors, may also carry cardiovascular side effects.
Notably, the data showed that people with ulcerative colitis were at higher risk for cardiovascular issues than those with Crohn’s disease, though both conditions showed elevated risks. The study also emphasized that gut microbiome disturbances in IBD may
contribute to a pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic environment in the body.
Doctors Urged to Act Early
Experts are calling for more integrated care for IBD patients, which should include early cardiovascular screening, regular monitoring of risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes, and lifestyle changes that support both gut and heart health. The researchers stress the need for future studies to explore how IBD treatments can be better tailored to minimize these long-term risks.
They warn that failing to act could mean that millions of IBD patients worldwide are silently developing deadly cardiovascular complications.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Gastrointestinal Disorders.
https://www.mdpi.com/2624-5647/7/4/78
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/gastroenterology
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/cancer
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