From the National Library of Medicine, it is likely that there exists a cause and effect relationship between brain damage and heart malfunction.
“Brain-heart syndrome broadly refers to heart damage caused by various brain disorders. The ability to accurately diagnose the occurrence and development of brain-heart syndrome is highly valued.
“The Framingham study (FHS) [1948 in Massachusetts] reported that stroke incidence more than doubled in the presence of coronary heart disease, more than tripled with hypertension, increased four fold with cardiac failure, and increased five fold with atrial fibrillation.
“Neurocardiology is an emerging specialty that addresses the interaction between the brain and the heart, i.e. the effects of cardiac injury on the brain, and the effects of brain injury on the heart. Over the years, the FHS has become a successful, multigenerational study that analyzes family patterns of cardiovascular and other diseases including stroke.”
The primary goal of the FHS was to identify common factors or characteristics that contribute to cardiovascular disease. During a heart attack, the heart may pump so insufficiently that it can’t carry adequate oxygen-plentiful blood to the brain. As a result, brain cells are extremely sensitive to oxygen loss and can begin dying within minutes, potentially causing stroke-like symptoms or cognitive flaws.
- If the brain is deprived of oxygen for even a few minutes, brain cells can begin to die.
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During a severe heart attack, the heart may not pump enough blood to the brain.
- This can lead to cognitive impairments, memory loss, or even permanent brain damage.
Heart attacks can cause blood clots to form in chambers of the heart. These blood clots can break apart and navigate to the brain, causing a stroke:Â
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After a heart attack, some people succumb to hypotension (very low blood pressure), which reduces blood movement to the brain.
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This process can cause confusion, dizziness, or silent brain damage over time, especially in older adults or those with pre-existing brain damages.
Some heart attacks move to cardiac arrest, where the heart stops beating regularly. Without immediate CPR, the brain suffers severe oxygen shortages shortly, leading to permanent brain damage or death.
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If the person is revived with CPR, they may still endure brain injury, depending on how long the brain went without appropriate oxygen.
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If a heart attack leads to cardiac arrest, blood flow to the brain stops eventually.
Both factors often derive from similar and hidden problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerosis (hardened arteries), and smoking. Certain heart attack remedies like blood thinners or similar procedures can raise the chances for bleeding risk in the brain, although the benefits usually outweigh these risks.
Even without stroke, some people experience cognitive changes after heart attacks, possibly due to brief periods of reduced blood flow during the episode or from medications used in treatment.
This is why emergency treatment for heart attacks focuses not just on resurrecting the heart functions but on maintaining sufficient blood flow to all vital organs, especially the brain.
Usual cognitive symptoms after a heart attack include:
- Brain fatigue or fog
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Memory problems
- Slower thinking
- Mood changes (irritability, depression)
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Trouble concentrating
This is especially likely if:
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You were unconscious during the process.
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You already had a brain injury or poor circulation.
- You needed CPR.
