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These studies suggest that a heart stroke, often referred to as stroke-heart syndrome, involves cardiac complications triggered by a stroke, influenced by autonomic dysfunction and inflammation, and shares common underlying mechanisms with an unfavorable short-term prognosis.
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A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, is defined as the death of brain, spinal cord, or retinal cells due to ischemia, which is a lack of blood flow and oxygen to these tissues. This definition encompasses both clinical and tissue criteria, incorporating advances in neuropathology and neuroimaging. Strokes can manifest in various forms, including ischemic stroke, which presents with overt symptoms, and silent infarction, which does not cause noticeable symptoms. Additionally, the term stroke also includes intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage, which involve bleeding within the brain.
After an ischemic stroke, patients often face significant cardiovascular complications, collectively referred to as stroke-heart syndrome. This syndrome includes a range of cardiac issues such as acute myocardial injury, coronary syndromes, heart failure, and arrhythmias. These complications are driven by neurocardiogenic mechanisms, including autonomic dysfunction and increased inflammation, which affect cardiomyocyte metabolism and vascular function. Differentiating between pre-existing cardiovascular conditions and stroke-induced heart injury remains a clinical challenge .
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive measure of autonomic nervous system function and has been identified as a potential biomarker for predicting stroke and its complications. HRV parameters, particularly those in the time and frequency domains, can help predict incident strokes and post-stroke complications. This predictive capability underscores the importance of HRV in stroke diagnosis and management, although further research is needed to refine these predictive models.
The American Heart Association, in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, provides annual updates on heart disease and stroke statistics. These reports offer comprehensive data on the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with cardiovascular conditions, including stroke. The updates highlight the importance of core health behaviors and factors such as smoking, physical activity, diet, cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control in maintaining cardiovascular health. They also emphasize the global burden of cardiovascular disease and the need for evidence-based approaches to improve health outcomes .
Understanding the definition and implications of stroke is crucial for effective diagnosis, management, and prevention. The integration of clinical and tissue criteria in defining stroke, the recognition of stroke-heart syndrome, and the use of HRV as a biomarker are significant advancements in stroke research. Continuous monitoring and reporting of heart disease and stroke statistics are essential for informing public health strategies and improving patient care.
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