How your gut microbiome affects heart health

Midlife, especially for women during perimenopause and after menopause, is a critical period for heart health.

During this time, hormonal shifts can increase cardiovascular disease risk, emphasising the importance of proactive measures and healthy habits.

Your gut microbiome (the diverse community of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes) does far more than aid digestion. It plays a crucial role in heart health, influencing cholesterol levels, blood pressure and inflammation, all of which impact the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Understanding the gut–heart connection opens new possibilities for improving heart health and preventing heart disease through diet, probiotics and lifestyle changes.

How the gut–heart connection works

Your gut microbiome affects heart health in the following ways:

1. It regulates cholesterol and lipid metabolism by helping to regulate how your body absorbs and processes fats. An imbalanced microbiome may lead to higher LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol levels. Generally speaking, high LDL cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart disease and stroke by causing plaque build up in arteries, while high HDL cholesterol levels help to remove excess LDL and lower the risk of cardiovascular problems. Read my blog post the truth about cholesterol for more details.

   
   

2. It helps to regulate blood pressure: Some beneficial gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which help to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. A microbiome lacking diversity may contribute to high blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) significantly impacts heart health, increasing the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and heart failure.

   
   

3. It may produce harmful metabolites: Some gut bacteria producing a compound called trimethylamine (TMA). The liver converts TMA into another compound called TMAO, which may promote plaque build-up in arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks.

   
   

4. It can cause chronic Inflammation: An imbalanced microbiome can weaken the gut lining, leading to 'leaky gut' where toxins and bacteria can escape into the bloodstream. This can trigger low-grade inflammation throughout the body, increasing the risk of heart disease.

   
   

These are even more reasons to give your microbiome some TLC, especially in midlife when gut bacteria diversity naturally declines, inflammation tends to increase, and hormonal shifts (i.e. in menopause or andropause) can all further impact heart health.

Supporting your gut during this stage can help protect cardiovascular function and overall wellbeing.

Please do get in touch if you're concerned about your heart health and need some additional support.

Contact me

Reference: Trehan S, Singh G, Bector G, et al. Gut Dysbiosis and Cardiovascular Health: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Cureus. 2024;16(8):e67010. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11402436/

Disclaimer

The information and advice I provided here is of a general nature and should never replace individual health or medical advice provided by your doctor or other healthcare professional involved in your care.