Celiac Patients Twice as Likely to Have Coronary Artery Disease

Mounting evidence about the role systemic inflammation may play in heart health and the increased risk for celiac patients

Coronary artery disease (CDC) is the number one killer of adults in the U.S., claiming more than 380,000 lives every year. Like most types of heart disease, coronary artery disease has been linked with an increase inflammation that occurs as a result of undiagnosed infections, aging-related changes or autoimmune disorders like celiac disease that causes chronic low-grade inflammation in the small intestine. In fact, a recent study shows that people with celiac disease are twice as likely to have coronary artery disease compared to the general population. The relationship between CDC and CD is becoming more clear and is important information for celiac patients to know.

Conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, the study’s researchers evaluated more than 22 million health records to compare levels of CAD among men and women with and without celiac disease. In addition to the overall twofold increase in CAD among celiac patients, they also found people with celiac disease had a significantly higher risk of stroke. Even among younger celiac patients, the increased risk for coronary artery disease remained at nearly two times the levels of healthy men and women.

Although earlier studies have demonstrated potential links between celiac disease and heart failure and arrhythmia, co-investigator R.D. Gajulapalli, M.D., said the researchers were “surprised by the strength of the association” between celiac disease and coronary artery disease.

“This is an important study because it highlights a specific patient population who might be at higher risk for coronary artery disease, even in the absence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors,” Dr. Gajulapalli said. “Whether patients with celiac disease will need more intense risk factor modification like in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease will need to be studied.”

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness says about 1 in 133 Americans suffers from celiac disease, but another study says as many as 1.4 million more people have the disease but remain undiagnosed.

Men and women with coronary artery disease may benefit from taking dietary supplements shown to support a healthy cardiovascular system; however, because celiac disease can cause problems with nutrient absorption in the small bowel, patients who suffer from both CAD and celiac disease may have trouble getting the nutrients that could help them enjoy better health.

Gluten Free Therapeutics CeliVites supplements were developed specifically for people with celiac disease. CeliVites contain no gluten, and they’re formulated for maximum absorption and superior bioavailability for optimal health.

To learn more about Gluten Free Therapeutics or to see the complete line of CeliVites products, visit the GFT website, follow GFT on Twitter or visit the company at its Facebook page.


This original article is made possible by Gluten Free Therapeutics. Our mission is to educate, inform, and provide the most effective nutritional products possible to allow those with celiac disease and serious gluten intolerances to heal their bodies. CeliVites complete line of superior gluten free supplements includes multivitamin/multimineral supplements, iron supplements, and calcium supplements for people living with celiac disease. All CeliVites products are designed to help you heal, restore and rebuild your body, because going gluten free isn’t enough! 


Comments ()

  1. Kristen laskosky says:

    I’m interested in trying your products! Is there local stores that sell your products?

    1. Leigh says:

      Hello Kristen, Thank you for your interest in our products. We are only sold online. You can purchase through our website, Amazon.com. Drugstore.com, Luckyvitamin.com or Pureformulas.com.

  2. Robin says:

    Was born w celiac. Was very very sick when I was young. Im now 28, married to a wonderful man, and have 2 kids. When I was in my 3rd trimester with my daughter they found a heart mur mur. Getting checked after my pregnancy they found that I have “leaky valves”. I go for a check up with the cardiologists every year to make sure its not progressed any. So far it hasn’t. I do get heart palpitations now and then. Since finding this out though, ive started eating better… following my gf diet better. Lost 40lbs and 5 dress sizes. Im even running in a 5k saturday!!! I guess my point in sharing my life story is thatI beat the odds I was given and I believe anyone else with celiac can too. Im very glad to have read this article tonight. Its the first ive seen about heart disease and celiac having a connection of sorts. Thank you for the info and ill be following your fb page as well as bringing this to my dr for his input when I go next! 🙂

    -Glutenless in cincinnati

    1. Jamie says:

      robin. Do you get the heart palpitations after you eat. I was just diagnosed with celiac disease this past FebruaryI have been having heart palpitations ever since then. I have seen a cardiologist had a full work up and they tell me that there’s nothing wrong with my heart. But I’m still getting the palpitations. Thank you. Jamie.

      1. Robin says:

        Sometimes. I get them at strange times. When I shouldn’t at all like when im sitting still or just walking around shopping. I have found that I get them.more or worse with stress. I do get short of breath when im talking at times or doing small things arou d the house. But ive had all the ekg, ultrasound, event monitor checks and everything came back normal. But I have been following the gf diet a bit closer lately (it does get hard at times) and I have noticed that staying truely gf has helped. Ive not had an “episode” in a while!!!

  3. Chalisa says:

    is this dairy free as well?

    1. GFT staff says:

      Yes, all of our products are dairy free.

  4. Teresa says:

    i have celiac- just found out last july. Been GF for a long time yet celiac?! Hidden sources are what triggered me. Received iron infusion. Stomach ache. Elephant sitting on the chest. Breaking in a cold sweat. Very frustrating. Do cell vites contain a form of tomato? What about its acid level? Any enyzmes in cellvit s that would be helpful to reduce stomach ache?

    1. GFT staff says:

      Teresa,
      Please excuse the delay in responding. CeliVites does not contain acidic ingredients. Have you checked for a non celiac food allergy ? in addition to gluten reactions it is not usual for people with CD to have other food allergies. As far as reduction of celiac disease symptoms ( your stomach pain) the only way to do that is to eliminate all forms of gluten entirely from your diet. You may want to discuss these symptoms with your doctor if they persist.

  5. Kathy says:

    How does a person know which products to take? At present time I’am taking a multi-vitamin, iron, calcium, vitamin D3, 81mg aspirin plus my prescribed meds. I need help please!

    1. GFT staff says:

      Kathy,
      it sounds like you are taking several products. We cannot tell you what to take, that something you may want to discuss with your doctor. Our line of vitamins is designed to address the known nutritional deficiencies experienced by CD patients. Our Body Heath product is a great multivitamin for overall health, our Blood Health product is designed to help build healthy red blood cells and Bone Health product is a calcium product to help build strong bones.
      The products are described in detail on the website. Thank you for your question.

  6. Sara Earthdove-Tinker says:

    Was rushed to hospital four days ago with heart attac-like symptoms . I have been officially diagnosed with celiac”. since about 2006.

  7. Sara Earthdove-Tinker says:

    Was rushed to hospital four days ago with heart attac-like symptoms via ambulance! I have been officially diagnosed with celiac”. since about 2006. Symptoms began within 10 minutes of eating items which

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