CD causing heart disease?

[Chancery]

Hi, there are strong indications that I may have heart failure and I wondered if anyone has had a connection made between heart problems and CD. I Googled it and found that there is a higher incidence of heart problems with coeliacs, which shouldn't really be surprising since it stresses the body and if you go undiagnosed for a long time the stress could, assumably, lead to heart failure.

I've noticed that some of my heart failure symptoms (breathlessness, gastric pain and exhaustion) seem to be worse if I eat wheat, which makes me wonder that if my heart failure tests prove positive is it possible it could have been caused by undiagnosed coeliac disease?

Anyone have, or had, a heart condition/problems that have been linked to their coeliac disease?

[benmaise]

HI Chancery I have Coeliac , it took many years before i was diagnosed, I now how been diagnosed with AF . Don't think there is a connection.

[Chancery in reply to benmaise]

Sorry, benmaise, I don't know what AF is?

[Penel]

Let’s hope your tests don’t indicate heart problems.

But ...... if you feel that wheat/gluten are causing you problems, perhaps you should stop eating them?

[Chancery in reply to Penel]

You know me, I need to know. Can't just stop something without the proof...

[Penel in reply to Chancery]

Unfortunately if you’ve got non-Coeliac gluten sensitivity, the only ‘proof’ is to cut it out and then reintroduce it. Waiting for anything more conclusive may mean you wait for ever and potentially your health deteriorates further. Chronic low level inflammation will not be good for your heart health.

The symptoms you describe are also the symptoms you could get with a wheat allergy (?).

BTW: AF is atrial fibrillation.

[Chancery in reply to Penel]

Yes, I'm about to embark on FODMAPS because I have 24/7 colic so that will remove wheat automatically. I'm hopeful it will also reveal whether this colic is a simple IBS (oh, that my IBS was simple) issue or it's actually something to do with the potential heart problem. Breathlessness & gastric pain are really generic and can go with just about anything. The real cruncher here is the oedema in my lower legs and, I suspect some oedema in my gut too. That's not so common and can only mean a handful of things. Looking at my symptoms and the symptom lists for oedema-related diseases the one I best fit is (congestive) heart failure. As every one of my dad's siblings (9 of em') all had heart problems, I'm thinking my genetics and the symptoms probably add up to heart failure. I have an appt for a fortnight's time. If I don't die of anxiety first I'll find out for sure then (well, maybe, they seem to do a barrage of tests!)

[Penel in reply to Chancery]

Thankfully there are ways of managing congestive heart failure, if that is what it is, that were not available years ago. Drugs and surgical interventions can make a lot of difference. I could say “try not to worry” ....

I followed a low Fodmaps diet earlier this year for a few months to help sort out some GI problems. Monash University have a useful site and there is an app available. I prefer the printed page and so bought a book with recipes etc. It was fairly useful, apart from the breakfast suggestion of gf ready made cereals and toast, which I wouldn’t touch.

Good luck with it all.

[Chancery in reply to Penel]

Thanks, Penel. I've been (long) walking every day because I had a severe back injury, about 4 months ago now, and was aware that I was sitting much more, so when this oedema started I thought 'I have to get more active'. It has been VERY hard for the first two weeks but I felt it was making a slight impact on the oedema, but then it just flatlined again, hence me seriously researching oedema/heart failure. Today, however, I did a very long rambling walk (I have an additional problem of long-standing tendonitis in one ankle so it hurts to walk) and there is a definite improvement in my feet. I can actually see a shape in them again, and while the skin is still sore and taut it is DEFINITELY better, so fingers crossed this has maybe been a combination of too much sitting and poor eating after all.

Because it was so painful to walk I was having to miss the odd day and do every second day until I had a brainwave. Instead of walking out brisk(ish!) I go slow so my ankle doesn't get as sore and I can walk longer before the incapacitating gimpy limping starts. It also seems to recover better, which lets me get out the next day again. It may not be aerobic or cardio or any of the other 'ics' & 'o's it should be, but it beats doing nothing. If you can't do brisk, do what you can do!

Apparently you can have heart failure and show no symptoms, so I'm thinking, having had this episode, it may well be a warning, so even if it clears up completely (oh please, God) I think I'll take that appointment anyway and ask the doc if I should be tested. I'd rather know if there is an issue because it will help me to keep on the straight and narrow with the diet & exercise. Nothing like staring death in the face for motivation!