How are stroke and heart disease related? Cardiology Basics

How are stroke and heart disease related? Cardiology Basics Ischemic stroke is often due to sudden obstruction to a cerebral artery which usually results in paralysis. Hemorrhage stroke is due a bleed from a cerebral vessel and deemed to be more dangerous than ischemic stroke. Stroke and heart disease are linked together in various ways. In general, risk factors for stroke and ischemic heart disease are similar. Ischemic strokes can sometimes occur simultaneously with an acute myocardial infarction. Stroke can occur after a myocardial infarction as well. Myocardial infarction can cause damage to a region of endocardium over the infarct. This region can be a nidus for the formation of a left ventricular thrombus. Left ventricular mural thrombus occurring as a complication of myocardial infarction can break off and embolize to the cerebral vessels. Thus it can cause an embolic stroke. Thrombi can also form in the left atrium in the presence of mitral stenosis. Mechanical heart valves can also be a source of thromboembolism. Atrial fibrillation is another reason for an embolic stroke. In atrial fibrillation, the activation of the atria is so fast that effective contraction is not possible. This leads to sluggish flow and cause thrombus formation, especially in the left atrial appendage. Thrombi from the left atrium can break away and embolize to the cerebral vessels causing stroke. That is why anticoagulation is given to prevent stroke when there is atrial fibrillation with alon...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs