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StrokeSense : Are You At Risk?Heart Disease
Heart disease, a risk factor for ischemic stroke, can cause blood clots that may break apart and block blood vessels in the brain. In particular, atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeats in the left side of the heart, can cause irregular blood flow and create some blood clots. These blood clots can leave the heart and travel to the brain, causing a stroke. People who have irregular valves or muscles in the heart face an increased risk for stroke. Such valve diseases as mitral valve stenosis or mitral annular calcification can double a person's risk for stroke, regardless of other factors. People who undergo heart surgery to correct problems or reverse the effects of heart disease also have an increased risk for stroke. Plaque from the aorta sometimes can come loose during surgery and travel through the bloodstream to the arteries in the neck and head, causing stroke. Atherosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries"), a process in which plaque builds up along artery walls, increases stroke risk, as well. This condition reduces the amount of blood that nourishes the heart and brain. Inside the blood vessels, a cap forms an irregular surface over fatty plaque. If the plaque is unstable, it bursts through the cap. The body responds as it would to an injury-by forming blood clots, which can block blood flow and cause a stroke. People can lower their risk for developing atherosclerosis by controlling their blood cholesterol. To do so, a person must lower his or her daily fat intake to 30 percent or less of total calories, reduce stress, and exercise regularly. Some people who have a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol may need to take medication. References
Source of Material: RockHill Communications,
14 Rock Hill Road Bala, Cynwyd, PA 19004, (610) 667-2040,
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