Relation Between Stroke and Heart Disease

Stroke is often due to sudden loss of blood supply to a region of the brain which usually results in paralysis of a part of the body. Stroke could also be due to bleeding into a part of the brain. Strokes and heart disease are linked together in various ways. In general, risk factors for stroke and some forms of heart disease are similar. Strokes due to blocks in blood vessels, can be seen along with blocks in blood vessels of the heart. Stroke can occur after a heart attack as well. Heart attack damages a part of the heart muscle. This can lead to damage of the inner lining of the heart in that region. A blood clot can form on the inner surface of the heart as a consequence. These clots can break away into the circulation and get lodged into a blood vessel of the brain. The clot thus blocks a blood vessel of the brain and causes a stroke. Similar clot formation can also occur when there is obstruction to a heart valve. Another type of heart disease which leads to stroke is an abnormal rhythm of the heart known as atrial fibrillation. In atrial fibrillation, there is a fast irregular rhythm originating in the upper chambers of the heart. Illustration of fast irregular rhythm originating in the upper chambers, with fast irregular heart rate. Rate in the upper chambers is much higher than that in the lower chambers in atrial fibrillation. The rhythm is so fast that effective contractions of the upper chambers cease. This leads to stagnation of blood in certain parts of the left...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs