The connection between a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and a heart attack often seems distant, but in practice, the two events are part of the same problem: when blood stops circulating as it should.
Although they affect different organs – the brain and the heart – they arise from very similar mechanisms. Therefore, anyone with one of these conditions is at greater risk of developing the other, and the same risk factors can lead to both.
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Experts explain that it all starts with healthy blood vessels that run throughout the body. If an artery is weakened, inflamed, or narrowed by fatty plaques, it may become blocked.
When this happens, the brain suffers a stroke. When it occurs in the heart, it is a heart attack. The body reacts to these events intensely, and a change in one organ can directly affect the other.
What do stroke and heart attacks have in common?
- They both happen via Interruption of blood flow.
- It is usually caused by Artery blockage.
- The most common origin is atherosclerosisAccumulation of fatty plaques in the arteries.
- Both cause a lack of oxygen in the affected tissuewhich leads to cell death.
- They share exactly the same risk factors: High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smokingSedentary lifestyle and obesity.
- A history of one event increases the risk of the other Because vascular damage is systemic.
When a heart attack weakens the brain
Neurologist Flavio Sikeev Salem, of the Hospital Gabones Santa Cruz, explains it directly: When a heart attack occurs, the heart loses strength and begins to pump less blood. “If this pumping gets too low, the brain receives less blood than it needs — and is very sensitive to any reduction in flow,” he says.
High-risk areas are more likely to suffer a stroke. He summarizes: “A cardiac arrest weakens the heart, and a weak heart weakens the brain.”
This connection exists because the two diseases are born from the same process: blockage of the arteries by fatty plaques and inflammation.
For a neurologist, the mechanism is simple: The plaque grows, can rupture, form a clot and block flow. Without oxygen, tissues – whether the heart or brain – begin to die.
How does a stroke affect the heart?
The effect also occurs in the opposite direction. During a stroke, especially a more extensive one, the body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline.
This can cause chest pain, EKG changes, irregular heartbeat, and even temporary weakness of the heart muscle. “It is not uncommon for a stroke to ‘mess up’ the heart for a few hours or days,” Salem explains.
When a stroke affects the areas that control heart rhythm, a patient can develop irregular heartbeats, including atrial fibrillation – which is the most serious.
This change facilitates the formation of clots within the heart, which can travel to the brain and cause a new stroke, which is why treatment usually includes anticoagulants.
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A stroke, also known as an ischemic stroke or ischemic stroke, is an interruption of blood flow to an area of the brain.
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The accident can happen for several reasons, such as the buildup of fatty plaques or the formation of a clot – causing a stroke – bleeding due to high blood pressure and even the rupture of an aneurysm – causing a hemorrhagic stroke.
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There are many common symptoms in ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, such as: very severe headache, weakness or numbness in some parts of the body, paralysis and sudden loss of speech.
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There is no cure for stroke, but it can be prevented in most cases. When this happens, it is possible to invest in treatments to improve the condition and in rehabilitation to reduce the risk of consequences.
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Most often, it occurs in people over 50 years of age, however, it can also affect younger people. The disease can occur as a result of five main reasons
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Smoking and malnutrition: It is important to follow a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and lean meat, in addition to practicing physical activity at least 3 times a week and not smoking.
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High blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes: These diseases must be adequately controlled, in addition to following healthy lifestyle habits to reduce their negative effects on the body, because they can lead to stroke.
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Heart or blood vessel defects: These changes can be detected in routine consultations, and should be monitored if identified. Some people may need to use medications, such as anticoagulants.
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Illegal drugs: It is recommended to seek help from one of the centers specialized in drugs in order for the detoxification process to take place and thus improve the patient’s quality of life, which reduces the chances of stroke.
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Increased blood clotting: diseases such as lupus, sickle cell anemia or thrombophilia. Diseases that lead to inflammation of blood vessels, such as vasculitis. Or brain spasms that impede blood flow
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Cardiologist’s opinion: One disease in different organs
Cardiologist Anis Mitri, president of the Association of Hospitals and Health Services of São Paulo State (AHOSP), confirms that stroke and heart attacks belong to the same group because they are diseases of the blood vessels, whether they are in the heart, brain or any other organ.
“When you talk about cardiovascular disease, it can happen in any part of the body. An obstruction can lead to a heart attack, a stroke, kidney ischemia or intestinal ischemia. It’s the same process,” he says.
Risk factors are also frequent: obesity, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, lack of sleep. Mitri also recalls that those who have already had a heart attack are more likely to have a stroke, precisely because the problem that caused the event is still active in the blood vessels.
Some cardiac signs may also indicate a risk of stroke, such as a sudden drop in pressure, a high blood pressure peak, fainting, fainting, significant dizziness, and plaques in the carotid arteries. Atrial fibrillation, common after age 60, is another key warning.
Differences in emergency care
Mitri explains that emergency stroke treatment depends on the type of stroke. In hemorrhagic stroke, the focus is on controlling blood pressure and, in some cases, working to reduce pressure in the brain.
On the other hand, ischemic stroke is closer to treating a heart attack, using antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents, but requires greater speed. “The brain reacts much more strongly to a stroke than the heart,” he says. “A person can suffer from memory loss and become disoriented quickly.”
Therefore, prompt assistance and care under the guidance of neurologists is essential at the first consultation.
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