cardiac
HEALTH ON TIME
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SUMMER 2013
take brain attacks to heart HEART HEALTH AND STROKE: WHAT’S THE CONNECTION?
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trokes are often referred to as “brain attacks,” but did you know that many strokes originate in the heart? The American Heart Association estimates that 795,000 strokes occur annually in the United States, and an estimated 15–20 percent of those strokes are related to an untreated common heart condition known as atrial fibrillation (AF). AF occurs when the heart’s electrical signals are interrupted, creating a chaotic, disorganized rhythm in the upper chambers (atria), impairing their ability to “push” the blood through to the lower chambers (ventricles). The blood that is left behind can clot before it enters the bloodstream, increasing the risk for stroke. According to the National Stroke Association, AF is a major risk factor for stroke and it makes a person 5 times more likely to have a stroke. Strokes occur when a blood vessel that brings blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is
A stroke occurs every 40 seconds in the U.S., and 1 American dies from stroke every 4 minutes. clogged or bursts. When this happens, part of the brain doesn’t get the blood and oxygen it needs. When deprived of oxygen, nerve cells in the brain can’t work and begin to die within minutes. Depending on the part of the brain affected, speech and/or body movement will be impaired. Dead brain cells cannot be replaced, so the damage is permanent. However, through rehabilitation, full or partial recovery can sometimes be achieved. Strokes caused by AF are far more damaging than many other types of strokes. According to estimates from the American Heart Association, 15 to 20 percent of all strokes are caused by AF; strokes related to AF are often major events, causing significant
stroke alert! PREVENT CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE A stroke can change your life forever, especially if you don’t get fast, effective care. But the most common type of stroke is largely preventable. According to Gyanendra K. Sharma, M.D., a cardiologist with Georgia Regents Heart and Cardiovascular Services, stroke occurs when fatty deposits build up in the GRU-004
SMALL CLOT, BIG PROBLEM FROM THE HEART. . . Blood clots that form in the heart can travel to the brain to cause a stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the cause of most such clots, which form in the chambers or valves of the heart before entering the bloodstream. . . . TO THE BRAIN broken blood vessel Section of the brain showing the middle cerebral artery.
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blood clot
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CAUGHT UNAWARE? Ignorance is not bliss. A 2011 survey by the American Heart Association found that half of all adults living with atrial fibrillation did not know they were at higher risk for stroke. Other risk factors include high blood pressure (the single highest cause of stroke), diabetes, tobacco use (including second-hand smoke), and physical inactivity and obesity.
1 Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by a blood vessel breaking and leaking blood into or around the brain. Although less frequent than ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes result in more deaths.
2 Ischemic strokes result from blood clots that interrupt the flow of blood to the brain. Eighty percent of strokes are ischemic.
disability or death. Additionally, strokes caused by AF result in significant neurological deficit. There is promising news for treatment. AF can be managed with medication and/or specialized cardiac procedures. Since high blood pressure is the No. 1 cause of stroke, blood pressure medication, in addition to lifestyle changes like exercise and quitting smoking, can lower stroke risk.
Protect your heart! To schedule an appointment with a cardiologist, call 706-721-2426. To schedule a $100 calcium screening, call 706-721-9729 or visit gru.edu/cardio.
carotid arteries, blocking blood flow to the brain. Carotid artery disease develops slowly, causing no symptoms in the early stages. The first sign may be a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a mini stroke, or even a full-blown stroke.
Lower your risk If you’ve had a TIA, tell your physician. Having had a TIA, aging and family history all increase your risk of stroke, as do: • high blood pressure • smoking • diabetes •b eing obese and inactive • high cholesterol “The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk,” Dr. Sharma says. “If you have any of these risks, speak to your physician. You many need a physical exam and imaging tests to determine if your carotid arteries are blocked.”
Stroke symptoms When the disease advances, you may experience sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arm or leg on one side of the
body; slurred or garbled speech; or sudden blindness. If these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical care, even if the symptoms go away. If taken within three hours of the onset of symptoms, a blood-thinning medication may restore blood flow to the brain.
Treatments Mild to moderate cases of carotid artery disease may respond to lifestyle changes and medications. If the blockage is severe or you’ve already suffered a TIA or stroke, surgery or stents can open the artery and increase blood flow to the brain.
For more information, please visit gru.edu/stroke. GRU-004
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