Did you know that heart problems can secretly cause changes in your brain? They may sound scary, but these changes can increase your risk of serious health problems like stroke and dementia. there is.

While focusing on heart health, don’t neglect brain health.

Brain blood vessels change after heart problems

A new study from the George Institute for Global Health reveals a surprising link between heart disease and invisible changes in blood vessels in the brain.

The effect of this is a little scary. These changes can complicate safe treatment decisions for heart patients and increase the risk of complications such as brain hemorrhage.

“People with heart disease are two to three times more likely than the general population to develop changes in the brain’s vasculature, but these patients do not suffer from this on a daily basis unless they have had a stroke. They are often missed because they don’t undergo brain imaging,” said Dr. Zien Zhou, lead author of the study.

Signs of brain changes due to heart disease

So what are the sneaky changes we should be looking out for? Here’s a summary.

Silent cerebral infarction (SBI)

A silent cerebral infarction (SBI) is essentially a “silent stroke.” These occur when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off, causing tissue damage.

Unlike a typical stroke, SBI doesn’t cause any immediately noticeable symptoms, so it often goes unnoticed. However, over time they can accumulate, leading to cognitive decline and increasing the risk of future strokes.

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD)

Cerebral small vessel disease includes a variety of conditions that affect the small blood vessels of the brain, such as arterioles, capillaries, and venules.

These blood vessels can become damaged or blocked over time, resulting in reduced blood flow to different parts of the brain.

CSVD is a common cause of stroke and dementia, especially in older adults. It may also contribute to the development of white matter lesions and fissures.

gap

Laxness is a small cavity-like space that forms in the brain as a result of brain tissue death, usually due to a lack of blood supply associated with small vessel disease.

These cavities can be considered a subtype of silent infarction, but are particularly associated with chronic damage caused by hypertension and other vascular risk factors.

Laxness has a variety of clinical effects, ranging from asymptomatic to causing cognitive and motor deficits.

white matter lesions

White matter lesions (WML) are areas of damage or degeneration in the white matter of the brain, where the myelin sheath covering nerve fibers is damaged.

This damage prevents the normal transmission of electrical signals between different parts of the brain and between the brain and other parts of the body.

WML is associated with aging, hypertension, and vascular risk factors, and the presence of WML predicts an increased risk of stroke, dementia, and disability.

microbleeding

Microbleeds are small areas of bleeding within brain tissue, often seen in association with cerebral small vessel disease.

They are considered markers of vascular pathology and may indicate an increased risk of greater cerebral hemorrhage.

Microbleeds may be a symptom of underlying weaknesses in the brain’s vasculature and are associated with decreased cognitive function and increased risk of stroke.

brain atrophy

Brain atrophy refers to a decrease in brain volume caused by the loss of neurons (brain cells) and the synaptic connections between them.

This process may be part of the natural aging process, but it can also be accelerated as a result of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or chronic cerebral small vessel disease.

Brain atrophy can cause significant cognitive impairment, depending on which areas of the brain are affected.

Brain changes and heart disease risk

This study reveals a clear picture. Here are the results found in people with heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

• Approximately one-third had SBI.
• One quarter had a defect.
• Two-thirds had white matter lesions.
• One quarter had evidence of microbleeds.
• More than half had brain atrophy.

What causes these dangerous brain changes?

Scientists believe the cause lies in common risk factors for heart disease and brain problems, including:

aging

Scientists have determined that aging is a major factor contributing to both heart disease and brain changes. As we age, our bodies undergo various physiological changes that can affect the health of our blood vessels.

These changes can lead to a reduction in the ability of blood vessels to efficiently supply blood to the heart and brain, increasing the risk of conditions such as silent stroke and cerebral small vessel disease.

Aging is a significant risk factor for these health problems due to the body’s natural wear and tear over time.

high blood pressure

High blood pressure has been identified as a significant cause of both heart disease and harmful changes in the brain. Extra force is applied to the artery wall, causing damage over time.

This damage restricts blood flow to the heart and brain, which can lead to the development of symptoms such as white matter lesions and microbleeds.

Hypertension is particularly notorious for its role in exacerbating cerebral small vessel disease, making it an important area of ​​interest for researchers.

Diabetes

Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, plays a significant role in the development of heart disease and changes in the brain. High glucose levels in the blood can cause damage to both large and small blood vessels, impairing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the heart and brain.

This may accelerate the process of brain atrophy and increase the risk of silent cerebral infarction. The metabolic disorders caused by diabetes further exacerbate the vulnerability of the brain’s vasculature.

high cholesterol

High cholesterol is another common risk factor that can lead to dangerous changes in both the heart and brain. When cholesterol builds up, plaque forms in your arteries, narrowing them and making it harder for blood to flow through them.

This reduces blood supply to the brain and causes conditions such as fissures, which can contribute to the overall risk of stroke and dementia. Therefore, managing cholesterol levels is critical to preventing both heart disease and associated brain changes.

smoking

Smoking is an established risk factor for many health problems, including heart disease and changes in the brain.

Chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis (the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries) and an increased risk of blood clots.

This damage significantly impairs blood flow to the brain and can contribute to the development of subclinical cerebral infarction, cerebral small vessel disease, and other vascular changes.

Quitting smoking is one of the most effective steps an individual can take to reduce the risk of these conditions.

“The gradual decline in cardiac output in some heart disease patients affects the amount of blood that reaches brain tissue, contributing to vascular changes and cognitive impairment in these patients,” Dr. Chou said. There is a possibility that it is.” It may also be caused by small blood clots forming in the heart and traveling to the brain.

Treatment of brain changes associated with heart disease

“You may be more susceptible to the risk of cerebral hemorrhage from drugs commonly used to treat or prevent blood clots. Intracranial hemorrhage is a life-threatening complication with no proven treatment and survival rates “It’s less than 50 percent,” he warns. Mr. Zhou.

This leaves doctors in a dilemma. Drugs that protect the heart can themselves be dangerous to the brain.

Addressing the link between heart and brain changes

This study highlights the urgent need to understand exactly how and why these brain changes are caused by heart disease.

More importantly, can we find ways to safely manage the risks for these patients?

• MRI scan: Should it be routine to perform an MRI scan on people with heart disease before starting blood thinners? Now that’s a question that needs an answer.

Your heart and brain are an intricately linked dual structure. If you have heart disease, understanding how it affects your brain health is critical to making safe and informed treatment decisions.

The full study will be published in a journal neurology.

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