Pune : Although heart and brain health are inextricably linked, medical experts have expressed regret that this important relationship is not being taken seriously enough in our country. Heart supplies the brain with continuous supply of oxygenated and glucose-rich blood. Therefore, any problem in the functioning of the heart can directly affect the brain. Blockage of blood flow increases the risk of ischemic stroke (blockage of blood supply), while uncontrolled blood pressure increases the risk of bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).
Senior Director and Neurosurgeon, Department of Neurosciences, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Pune. Risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated LDL cholesterol, smoking, obesity and lack of exercise are equally dangerous for both the heart and the brain, said Rakesh Ranjan. “High blood pressure and diabetes are major contributing factors in more than 50 percent of stroke cases globally. Hence, controlling these diseases is very important,” he explained.
Worryingly, strokes that used to be more common in people over the age of 50 are now seen increasing in the 30 to 40 age group. Changing lifestyles, stress, poor diet, lack of sleep and spending too much time in front of screens are increasing the incidence of heart disease and brain diseases among the youth.
According to experts, if the health of the heart deteriorates, there will be insufficient blood supply to the brain for a long time. This can lead to a condition like ‘vascular dementia’. It shows symptoms like loss of memory, slowness of thinking, loss of decision-making ability. As these symptoms develop slowly, they are often overlooked in the early stages.
Early recognition of stroke symptoms is very important. Sudden weakness or tingling on one side of the body, crooked face, difficulty speaking, slurred speech, sudden dizziness, loss of balance or pure loss are considered alarm bells. Prompt hospitalization within the ‘golden hour’ of such symptoms is imperative to save lives and prevent permanent disability.
Experts believe that prevention is the best solution. Regular blood pressure checks, blood sugar and lipid profile tests, a balanced and low-salt-oil diet, at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, stress management, adequate sleep, and avoiding smoking and alcohol can help protect heart and brain health in the long term. It is also important to maintain proper levels of nutrients such as vitamin B12 and D3.
Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital offers advanced treatment facilities for stroke and neurovascular diseases. The hospital administration said that cutting-edge technologies such as endovascular procedures, removal of blood clots through thrombectomy, placement of stents in blocked arteries, brain navigation system, intraoperative ICG imaging and awake brain surgery are making the treatment safer and more effective.
Experts have given the message that there is a need to examine and treat the health of both the heart and brain organs from an integrated perspective, and being aware of health is the key to prevent serious diseases like stroke.
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