Gallbladder disease and coronary artery disease: is there a link?

Abstract

Both gallstones and coronary artery disease are associated with cholesterol. Therefore, the literature was searched for evidence that gallbladder disease can be considered a risk factor for coronary artery disease. The problem has been approached from several angles. Studies designed to discover whether lipid profiles associated with gallbladder disease are similar to those associated with coronary artery disease have shown contradictory results. Autopsy studies have indicated that atherosclerosis appeared to be more extensive in patients with gallstones, but, again it was unclear whether the relationship was causal or merely reflected coincidental factors of some other origin. A study attempting to find a relationship between gallstone formation and a low-cholesterol diet actually showed a higher rate of gallstone formation among the patients on the low-cholesterol diet. Possible explanations for the results of these various studies are offered.