A Vital Dialogue Between the Brain and the Heart

What’s the connection between cardiovascular health and stroke? Let’s find out.

Healthy Heart|Jan. 23, 2025

There’s a strong connection between our heart and brain; the health of one deeply intertwines with the other.

When blood flow to the brain is blocked, or if there’s bleeding in the brain, it can damage brain cells and cause a stroke. But did you know that people with cardiovascular disease are at a 2-4% higher risk of stroke than the general population? Conversely, a stroke can lead to cardiac dysfunction and complications like arrhythmia and heart failure.

Exploring this link can show us new ways to improve cardiovascular and brain health and develop essential measures for stroke prevention. Let’s begin by understanding the types of stroke and their impact on health.

When the Flow Flickers

Broadly, strokes are categorized into two:

Hemorrhagic Stroke: When a blood vessel in the brain ruptures due to hypertension (high blood pressure) or aneurysm (a bulge in the wall of an artery), the bleeding disrupts normal circulation of blood and oxygen in the brain, leading to brain cell damage.

Ischemic Stroke: Reduced blood supply to the brain caused due to blocked blood vessels in the brain, or a clot formed in a different part of the body that has traveled to the brain, obstructs the flow of blood, damaging brain cells. In some cases, the shortage of blood is caused by arterial deposits narrowing the arteries that carry blood to the brain.

Depending on the part of the brain that is affected, a stroke can impact health in different ways with:

  • physical symptoms like weakness, dizziness, or paralysis
  • sensory disruptions like speech or vision issues
  • cognitive changes like confusion or memory problems, behavioral changes, long-term complications.

Timely medical aid is critical, to restore normal blood flow and reverse the symptoms. If you notice signs of a stroke, reaching out to a healthcare provider immediately can make a life-saving difference to the patient. Additionally, being aware of the risk factors ahead of time can help you take proactive steps to reduce the likelihood of its occurrence.

However, a lesser-known part of this conversation is heart health.

Connecting The Dots Between the Brain and the Heart

A stroke in some cases, can lead to cardiovascular issues — about 10-20% of patients with acute ischemic stroke report cardiac events.

On the other hand, many cardiac conditions are associated with a higher likelihood of stroke. For example, in coronary artery disease, the coronary artery narrows which limits the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Over time, this can trigger a blood clot and increase the chance of a heart attack or a stroke. Similarly, in atrial fibrillation, the heartbeat becomes irregular and weak. As a result, blood flows to the heart much slower than usual; it pools up and can cause clots that may travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Thus, monitoring pre-existing cardiovascular conditions and strengthening heart health can help alleviate the likelihood of a stroke. Likewise, in the event of a stroke, the heart needs to be protected from the risk of damage.

Checking in with the Heart

From small changes in daily routine to knowing when to ask for medical help, here are a few things we can do to improve our cardiovascular function and stave off health crises.

  • Regulating alcohol intake and minimizing smoking play a key role in managing weight and keeping the blood vessels healthy.
  • People with a family history or high risk of heart disease, are recommended regular health check-ups and lipid profile testing to keep an eye on key markers like cholesterol levels, to assess cardiac disease risk.
  • Focusing on what you eat, and whether it is right for your health may help counter the cardiac risks. Fibre in your food along with leafy vegetables, lean proteins, have a protective effect that can slow down age related cardiovascular stressors.
  • ‘Heart-healthy’ foods combined with movement and exercises for your heart can increase the impact of these changes in the overall heart health journey.

Today, clinicians are able to detect cardiovascular anomalies quicker than ever before, thanks to evolved diagnostic tests that deliver accurate results in less than an hour, and health innovations that make real-time remote monitoring possible.

Innovations for a safer future of heart health

With a simple blood draw, the high-sensitivity troponin test allows doctors to get to the heart of the problem. Troponin— a protein released into the blood when there is injury to the heart— is measured to predict the risk of heart attack. This information can reduce time to take prompt action and avoid complications that can arise from a heart attack or stroke.

Miniaturized remote monitoring devices, like Insertable Cardiac Defibrillators and Monitors, help keep a check, especially on the hearts of those who have recently survived a stroke or are at a risk of one. These devices send real-time alerts in case of any abnormal changes in the patient’s cardiac rhythm, to reduce the critical time to intervene and minimize the chance of a health episode.

Our blood vessels may be tiny, but they hold the power to all our vital organs, including the brain and heart. Keeping this network thriving, can go a long way in minimizing health risks and empowering us to tap the pulse of a full and wholesome life.

Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.