What to do if coronary heart disease causes constipation?

Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
Updated on February 16, 2025
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Patients with coronary heart disease should pay attention to bowel movements, as difficulty in defecation can lead to intestinal obstruction. This is especially true for elderly patients with diabetes. Additionally, straining during bowel movements can easily induce angina or even lead to myocardial infarction or sudden death. Patients with constipation should consider the following issues. Firstly, their diet should include high-fiber foods; secondly, appropriate exercise should be undertaken; thirdly, some patients may take laxatives, and currently, there are many laxatives suitable for the elderly available clinically with relatively minor side effects and good efficacy; fourthly, some patients may use enemas for prolonged constipation, but long-term use is not recommended. Besides preventing constipation, patients with coronary heart disease should also maintain a calm demeanor, avoid emotional fluctuations, and prevent overeating or vigorous activity, as these can cause insufficient blood supply to the heart, triggering angina or myocardial infarction. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Liu Yong
Cardiology
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Is premature beat related to coronary heart disease?

Firstly, there is no direct connection between coronary heart disease and premature contractions. If we must discuss whether ventricular premature beats are related to coronary heart disease, we should mainly consider patients with myocardial ischemia, especially those with active myocardial ischemia. In these cases, premature beats may be somewhat related to coronary heart disease, but these two conditions cannot be directly equated. Since the majority of premature contractions are unrelated to coronary heart disease, these two issues should not be confused or directly equated. It is common to see some elderly people with premature contractions on their ECGs and consider coronary heart disease, but this consideration is not entirely correct. Of course, the occurrence of real premature beats, especially frequent ventricular premature beats, also suggests the possibility of myocardial ischemia. However, a large number of people, even those with obvious real premature beats, do not have significant coronary insufficiency, thus there is no direct relationship between the two.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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What fruits to eat for coronary heart disease

For patients with coronary heart disease, it is generally recommended to consume seasonal fruits such as hawthorn, apples, kiwis, pineapples, and bananas. Hawthorn contains triterpenoid and flavonoid compounds that can significantly dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Additionally, hawthorn aids digestion and regulates blood lipids and cholesterol levels, benefiting those with coronary heart disease. Research indicates that apples can help prevent the rise of cholesterol and are beneficial against atherosclerosis associated with coronary heart disease. Kiwis are particularly high in vitamins and reportedly help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which is advantageous for preventing atherosclerosis. Pineapples are said to reduce blood lipid release and decrease the incidence of coronary heart disease; however, they can cause "internal heat," so it is advisable for individuals with a phlegm-heat constitution to consume them sparingly. Bananas, rich in carbohydrates and various vitamins, are suitable for people with coronary heart disease, especially those suffering from constipation, as bananas can moisturize the intestines and thus help reduce factors that trigger coronary heart disease.

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Written by Liu Yong
Cardiology
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Can the symptoms of coronary heart disease be cured?

Firstly, coronary heart disease is caused by coronary artery and arteriosclerotic narrowing of the coronary artery lumen, leading to insufficient myocardial blood supply. From this perspective, coronary heart disease cannot be completely cured, but the symptoms can be alleviated. If the symptoms are alleviated, then the disease can still be fully controlled effectively. Therefore, coronary heart disease is preventable and treatable, but to completely eradicate it, it is necessary to improve the lifestyle, adhere to medication, have regular check-ups, and maintain good follow-up. These aspects can improve the prognosis of the patient to achieve the purpose of no recurrence.

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Cardiology
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What to eat for coronary heart disease

Patients with coronary heart disease need to maintain a reasonable daily diet, paying attention to low salt, low cholesterol, and low-fat food. The total daily intake of salt should be controlled to under 6 grams. It is best to consume a certain amount of vegetables daily, such as appropriately eating some tomatoes, eggplants, lettuce, broccoli, etc., which are relatively good vegetables. Fruit should also be consumed daily, such as eating some fruit before meals, like kiwi, apples, and pears, which are fruits relatively rich in potassium and magnesium. These elements help further lower blood pressure and prevent the occurrence of arteriosclerosis. In addition, it is also recommended that patients choose some vegetable oils when cooking and use less fat to better prevent the occurrence of arteriosclerosis.

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Can people with coronary heart disease eat eggs?

Eggs contain rich proteins that are easily digested, absorbed, and utilized by the human body. Eggs also contain a variety of amino acids, including some essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own and must be ingested through diet. Eggs are beneficial for human growth and development, and patients with coronary heart disease can consume eggs, but they should be mindful of the quantity. Patients with coronary heart disease should adhere to a low-salt, low-fat diet, avoid fatty meats or animal organs, and generally consume fewer foods that are high in cholesterol and fat. Additionally, patients should adjust their lifestyle, follow medical advice, take medications on time, and undergo regular check-ups.