Stroke And Heart: What's The Link?

Heart attacks and strokes are both medical emergencies caused by a sudden interruption of blood flow. While a heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, a stroke is caused by a blockage or ruptured blood vessel in the brain. A previous heart attack is a risk factor for a stroke, so can a stroke cause a heart attack?

Heart attack survivors are at greater risk of stroke

A stroke and a heart attack are both medical emergencies caused by a sudden interruption of blood flow. While a heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked, a stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is stopped or disrupted.

Heart attack survivors are at a greater risk of experiencing a stroke, especially in the first year following a heart attack, and particularly during the first month. This is according to a study in the July 2016 Stroke, which tracked more than a quarter of a million heart attack survivors over a 30-year period. After a year, only the risk of ischemic stroke—the most common type of stroke—remains elevated.

The risk of experiencing a stroke is heightened for heart attack survivors because heart disease is the second most important risk factor for stroke. Heart disease and stroke share many of the same risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high red blood cell count, high cholesterol, excessive alcohol use, and abnormal heart rhythm.

It is important to know the signs of a stroke, as timely medical care is crucial for lowering the damage to the brain. Call 911 immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms in yourself or someone else:

• Numbness or weakness in the face or limbs, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion, difficulty speaking, or trouble understanding others
• Blurred or impaired vision in one or both eyes
• Dizziness, difficulty walking, or balance problems
• An excruciating headache with no known cause

Remember to act F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) when someone is having a stroke.

Atherosclerosis is a common cause of both heart attacks and strokes

Atherosclerosis is a common underlying cause of both heart attacks and strokes. Atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis, commonly known as "hardening of the arteries", which involves a build-up of fatty substances, cholesterol, calcium, and other cellular waste products (plaques) in the arteries. This build-up can lead to a blockage or trigger blood clots, resulting in reduced blood flow to the heart and brain.

Heart attacks occur when there is a sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart, usually caused by plaque build-up or blood clots in the coronary arteries. Strokes, on the other hand, are caused by a sudden interruption of blood flow in the brain, often due to blood clots or bleeding. Atherosclerosis can lead to both of these conditions by causing blockages or triggering blood clots in vital arteries.

The risk factors for atherosclerosis include age, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy dietary habits. These risk factors can damage the inner lining of arteries, leading to the gradual build-up of plaque. Over time, this plaque can grow and narrow the arteries, or it can rupture and trigger blood clots.

While atherosclerosis is a significant contributor to heart attacks and strokes, it is important to note that timely medical care is crucial in both instances to lower the damage to the heart or brain and improve survival rates. Additionally, making healthy lifestyle choices, such as improving diet and increasing physical activity, can help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and its associated complications.

Lifestyle factors that increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes

While a stroke does not directly cause a heart attack, the two conditions are linked. Heart attack survivors are more likely to have a stroke, especially in the first year following the heart attack. Both a stroke and a heart attack are medical emergencies caused by a sudden interruption of blood flow, with the latter specifically referring to the blood flow to the heart being blocked.

There are several lifestyle factors that increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. These include:

• Smoking: Nicotine directly narrows blood vessels, increasing the risk of blood flow interruption.
• Poor diet: Eating foods high in saturated and trans fats, red and processed meats, added sugars, and sodium can lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Lack of physical activity: Not exercising enough can lead to other health conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all of which are risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.
• Alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of irregular heartbeats and obesity, all of which are risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.
• Stress: Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure and contribute to poor health behaviours such as smoking, overeating, and a lack of physical activity, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Obesity: Being obese is linked to higher levels of "bad" cholesterol and lower levels of "good" cholesterol, as well as high blood pressure and diabetes, all of which increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Diabetes: Diabetes causes sugar to build up in the blood, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching the brain and heart, increasing the risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Symptoms of a stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency caused by a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain. It is important to be able to recognise the signs of a stroke, as timely medical care is crucial for lowering the risk of brain damage.

The American Stroke Association recommends using the F.A.S.T. acronym to spot a stroke:

• F = Face Drooping: Does one side of the person's face droop or is it numb? Ask them to smile—is their smile uneven?
• A = Arm Weakness: Is one of their arms weak or numb? Ask them to raise both arms—does one drift downward?
• S = Speech Difficulty: Is their speech slurred or strange? Ask them to repeat a simple phrase.
• T = Time to call 911: If you observe any of these signs, call emergency services immediately.

Other common symptoms of a stroke include:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination
• A severe headache with no known cause

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, call emergency services immediately. Do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you—call an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin treatment as soon as possible.

Symptoms of a heart attack

A stroke and a heart attack are both medical emergencies caused by a sudden cut-off in blood flow. While a heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked, a stroke occurs due to a sudden interruption of blood flow in the brain.

Heart attacks can strike suddenly, but many people experience warning signs and symptoms hours, days, or even weeks in advance. Some people have mild or severe symptoms, while others have no symptoms at all. It's important to pay attention to your body and seek medical help immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain or discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or comes and goes. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, tightness, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
• Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body: This includes pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, teeth, or upper belly.
• Shortness of breath: This can occur with or without chest discomfort and may even happen before chest discomfort.
• Other signs: Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, or lightheadedness. Women are more likely to experience these less specific symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, back pain, or jaw pain.

It is crucial to act quickly and call for emergency medical help if you or someone else experiences any of these symptoms. Minutes matter when it comes to treating a heart attack, and prompt medical care can reduce the amount of damage to the heart and save lives.

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