I met a guy about ten years ago who addressed the audience in one of the stroke groups I attended. He was courting a “damn headache” (his words, not mine) for two hours but still proceeded with his project in the tool shed.
Suddenly, he dropped the hammer because he had no feeling on his right side. He fell to the ground and called to his wife in the house. But his words were slurred and weak, and his wife never heard his plea for aid.
Sound familiar? Yes, he had a stroke. Two weeks later, he had a heart attack.
Stroke and heart problems are closely related, as they both fall under the category of cardiovascular diseases. To explain this further, one part of the autonomic nervous system is a pair of nerves called the vagus nerves, which run up either side of the neck and connect the brain with some of our internal organs, including the heart.Â
Here’s how stroke can affect the heart:
After a stroke, individuals may have an increased risk of heart problems, even if they had no prior heart disease. This phenomenon includes a higher chance of heart attacks or heart failure, especially within the first 30 days post-stroke. ​www.heart.org
Here’s how heart issues can lead to stroke:
-
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Increasing plaque in the arteries can lead to both heart attacks and strokes. If plaque bursts, it can cause a clot that blocks blood flow to the brain. ​www.stroke.org
-
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): This erratic heartbeat can cause blood clots to form in the heart. If a clot travels to the brain, it can block blood flow and cause a stroke. AFib is responsible for nearly 20% of stroke cases. ​Mayo Clinic News Network
-
Heart Failure: Even without AFib, heart failure can up the chances for stroke because of a reduced blood flow and the potential for clot formation. ​PMC
Stroke and heart problems contribute to many of the same risk factors:Â
-
Diabetes
-
Smoking
-
High blood pressure
-
High LDL (bad) cholesterol
-
Obesity
-
Physical inactivity
-
Unhealthy diet
- Family history
Administering these aspects can significantly reduce the risk of both conditions. Traditional check-ups, a balanced diet, exercise, and overseeing existing health conditions can help protect both your heart and brain.
Maybe even family history, too!
