Cardiac Embolism Stroke: Symptoms, Origins, and Remedies
Cardioembolic strokes are a type of ischemic stroke, accounting for approximately 20% of all strokes. These strokes occur when debris, such as blood clots, move from the heart to the brain, causing blockages in the blood vessels.
The most frequent cardiac source of these strokes is atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that leads to stasis of blood and clot formation in the atria. Other significant cardiac causes include infective endocarditis, where vegetations on heart valves serve as embolic sources, and less commonly, aortic aneurysm or dissection that disturb aortic blood flow.
Atrial fibrillation is the leading cause of cardioembolic strokes, with high associated disability and mortality. Other risk factors for cardioembolic strokes overlap partly with general stroke risk factors. These include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and less common cardiac conditions like aortic dissection or aneurysm.
The likelihood of reoccurrence of cardioembolic strokes is high. Symptoms of a stroke can develop suddenly and may include numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, speaking difficulties, vision difficulties, difficulties with walking, coordination, balance, and dizziness, and severe headache.
Preventing and treating underlying heart conditions can prevent cardioembolic strokes. The FAST test can be used to identify stroke symptoms: Face (does one side of the face droop when the person smiles?), Arms (does one arm drift downward when the person raises both arms?), Speech (is their speech slurred or strange?), Time (if any of the above signs are present, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911).
A person with a cardioembolic stroke will likely receive a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for treatment. Other stroke prevention strategies include a healthy diet, regular physical activity, not smoking, reducing alcohol intake, controlling factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes. The effects of a cardioembolic stroke may affect a person's quality of life and they may need rehabilitation therapy.
If a person cannot take tPA, doctors may administer blood thinning medications. In some cases, a thrombectomy, a medical procedure, can also be used to treat a stroke. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if stroke symptoms are suspected, as the sooner a person obtains tPA, the better their chances of recovery.
- Science has identified cardioembolic strokes as a neurological medical-condition that originate from cardiovascular health issues, mostly due to atrial fibrillation.
- Chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, as well as other risk factors such as hypertension, cigarette smoking, and inflammation, are associated with an increased risk of cardioembolic strokes.
- Fitness-and-exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol intake are essential for reducing the risk of cardioembolic strokes and improving cardiovascular health.
- Mental-health issues, including severe headaches and dizziness, may accompany cardioembolic strokes, which can significantly impact a person's health-and-wellness.
- CBD, while not directly related to cardioembolic strokes, is a popular health-and-wellness supplement that may help manage symptoms of various chronic diseases, including those related to cardiovascular health.
