A Hidden Connection: Pancreatic and Cardiovascular Health
February is Heart Disease Awareness Month and in honor of that, ChiRhoClin would like to highlight the relationship between pancreatic and cardiovascular health. While these two organs might seem unrelated at first, studies have shown that if one of these organs is diseased, it affects the other.
Both chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) have been linked with congestive heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.3 It has not been determined if these pancreatic conditions cause the cardiac conditions or vice versa, or if the connection is more closely tied to the common risk factors these diseases share.3 There are clear indications the conditions exacerbate one another once they are established. For instance, a history of acute pancreatitis is linked to an increased risk of acute atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and acute coronary syndrome.1 Worsening pancreatitis leads to malnutrition in the patient, while proper nutritional support is vital for preventing and combating congestive heart failure. Malnutrition often affects elderly patients the most, a population that already faces a difficult battle with cardiac health and overall well-being. Unfortunately, heart failure is also linked to an increased risk of PEI, causing a breakdown of organ walls throughout the body.2 When the pancreatic wall deteriorates, it exacerbates pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, which in turn leads to worsening malnutrition.2 As you can see, a complication in one of these organs can lead to complications for the entire system, creating a vicious cycle that must be broken before regaining a semblance of former health. Luckily, PEI can be treated with supplemental pancreatic enzymes, a non-invasive solution for the already ill patient. Of course, it is important to take proactive steps to avoid entering this cycle at all in the first place.
As discussed in last month’s newsletter, exercise is an excellent way to reduce your risk of pancreatic disease — and it also protects your cardiovascular health. Smoking is the leading risk factor for both pancreatic and heart disease. While quitting smoking is quite difficult, every effort counts. Even small steps toward reducing tobacco use can lead to significant health improvements over time. Additional conscious lifestyle choices like staying active, eating a balanced diet, and reducing alcohol consumption can protect your pancreas — and your heart — for years to come.
References
1Chen, B., Moin, A., Virk, H., Jneid, H., Virani, S. S., & Krittanawong, C. (2023). Association of Cadiovascular Disease and Pancreatitis: What Came First, the Chicken or the Egg? Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(22), 7101. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12227101
2Dams, O. C., Marlene, V. A., van Veldhuisen, C. L., Verdonk, R. C., Besselink, M. G., & van Veldhuisen, D. J. (2022, July 15). Heart Failure and Pancreas Exocrine Insufficiency: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Clinical Point of View. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(14), 4128. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11144128
3Nikolic, S., Dugic, A., Steiner, C., Tsolakis, A. V., Haugen Löfman, I., Löhr, J.-M., & Vujasinovic, M. (2019, November 28). Chronic pancreatitis and the heart disease: Still terra incognita? World Journal of Gastroenterology, 25(44), 6561-6570. doi:10.3748/wjg.v25.i44.6561