Stroke Archive

Heart Health

COVID-19 diagnosis raises risk of heart attack, stroke

Published November 1, 2021

A Swedish study suggests that risk of a heart attack or stroke at least triples in the week following a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Heart Health

The danger of a "silent" heart attack

Published November 1, 2021

So-called silent heart attacks (marked by unexplained weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, or nausea) often go unrecognized. But they may be almost as concerning as regular heart attacks and have been linked to a higher risk of stroke. Some of this heightened stroke risk stems from shared risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol levels. But heart attacks can also damage the heart’s lower chambers. This may prevent the heart from contracting normally, which can lead to formation of a clot that then travels to the brain, causing a stroke.

Heart Health

Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: Beyond anti-clotting drugs

Published October 1, 2021

People with atrial fibrillation who develop or face a high risk of serious bleeding from anti-clotting drugs may be candidates for procedures that block or remove a part of the heart where dangerous blood clots form. About 90% of blood clots in the heart form in the left atrial appendage (LAA), a small pouch that protrudes from the top of the heart. Two procedures prevent clots from escaping from the LAA and causing a stroke. One delivers a device that blocks the opening of the LAA; the other removes most of the LAA during heart surgery done for another reason.

Exercise & Fitness

Exercise appears to lower atrial fibrillation and stroke risk

Published October 1, 2021

The link between exercise and atrial fibrillation (afib) and stroke prevention is now a little clearer, thanks to a Harvard study. It offers strong evidence that 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with a reduced risk for atrial fibrillation and stroke. Researchers aren’t surprised, since exercise helps the chambers of the heart contract and relax, while being sedentary increases afib and stroke risk. Other ways to ward off afib and stroke include treating sleep apnea, quitting smoking, and drinking only in moderation.

Diseases & Conditions

Do people who have COVID-19 go on to develop other diseases?

Published September 1, 2021

Evidence suggests that people who recover from COVID-19 have an increased risk for developing new health problems, including heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, muscle inflammation, blood clots that travel to the lungs, strokes from clots or hemorrhages, or psychosis. This is in addition to permanent damage that can result from having COVID, including damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, brain, or other organs; and debilitating fatigue, difficulty thinking, and other symptoms that make it hard to function normally at work or at home.

Heart Health

Wearable devices may encourage enough exercise to prevent afib

Published September 1, 2021

Getting the recommended amount of physical activity appears to lower the risk of atrial fibrillation (afib), a heart rhythm disorder that raises the risk of stroke.

Women's Health

Early menopause linked to higher risk of stroke

Published September 1, 2021

Women who go through menopause before they turn 40 may be more likely to have a stroke than women who undergo the transition between 50 and 54, according to a study published in the August 2021 issue of the journal Stroke.

Staying Healthy

Shingles vaccine may also reduce stroke risk

Updated August 16, 2021

The shingles vaccine was associated with a 10% to 20% lower risk of stroke among adults ages 66 and older, according to a recent study.

Staying Healthy

Supplements to prevent heart disease and cancer not justified

Published August 1, 2021

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient evidence for using most vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent heart disease and cancer in most healthy adults.

Diseases & Conditions

High blood pressure? Treat the risk, not the number

Published August 1, 2021

People with a high risk for heart attacks and strokes might benefit from taking blood pressure–lowering medications, even if their blood pressure is in the normal or "high normal" range and they have no clear signs of cardiovascular disease.

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Stroke Archive

Articles

COVID-19 diagnosis raises risk of heart attack, stroke

The danger of a "silent" heart attack

Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: Beyond anti-clotting drugs

Exercise appears to lower atrial fibrillation and stroke risk

Do people who have COVID-19 go on to develop other diseases?

Wearable devices may encourage enough exercise to prevent afib

Early menopause linked to higher risk of stroke

Shingles vaccine may also reduce stroke risk

Supplements to prevent heart disease and cancer not justified

High blood pressure? Treat the risk, not the number

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