Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Investigation of Spatial Interaction Between Astrocytes and Neurons in Cleared Brains

Investigation of Spatial Interaction Between Astrocytes and Neurons in Cleared Brains

Published on: March 31, 2022

[Heart-brain interactions]

Letizia Riva¹, Stefano Urbinati², Giuseppe Di Pasquale¹

¹U.O.C. Cardiologia, Ospedale Maggiore, Bologna.

Giornale Italiano Di Cardiologia (2006)

|May 9, 2019

Insights

Heart-brain interactions link cerebral ischemia and coronary artery disease, highlighting atherosclerosis as a systemic inflammatory condition. Understanding these connections is crucial for managing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Area of Science:

Cardiovascular Medicine
Neurology
Systemic Inflammation

Background:

Heart-brain interactions are evident in conditions like cerebral ischemia linked to coronary artery disease.
Atherosclerosis, a systemic inflammatory disease, connects carotid and coronary artery disease severity.
Concomitant cerebrovascular and coronary artery disease is prevalent.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the intricate relationship between cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
To highlight the impact of systemic inflammation on heart-brain axis.
To review conditions predisposing to cardioembolic events.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of existing research on heart-brain interactions.
Analysis of associations between atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and cerebrovascular events.
Examination of various cardiovascular conditions linked to cardioembolic phenomena.

Main Results:

Strong correlations exist between carotid atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease severity.
Previous myocardial infarction and stroke prognosis are significantly influenced by coronary events.
Numerous cardiac pathologies, including thrombosis and valve issues, are linked to cardioembolic events.
Cerebral events can precipitate cardiac abnormalities like arrhythmias.

Conclusions:

Heart-brain axis dysfunction is a critical factor in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Atherosclerosis plays a central role in the interplay between cardiac and brain health.
Comprehensive management strategies are needed for patients with co-existing heart and brain conditions.

Read full analysis

Abstract:

Heart-brain interactions are represented by the association of cerebral ischemia with coronary artery disease, cardioembolic cerebral ischemia, and cardiovascular complications due to brain damage. As atherosclerosis is a systemic inflammatory disease, in patients with transient ischemic attack, stroke or asymptomatic carotid artery disease, a previous myocardial infarction, angina or an asymptomatic coronary artery disease are often associated and a correlation between the carotid atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease severity has been reported. Furthermore, the long-term prognosis of patients with stroke is strongly affected by coronary events. At the same time, the prevalence of concomitant cerebrovascular disease is common in patients with coronary artery disease. Other cardiovascular diseases, including left atrial and left atrial appendage thrombosis in atrial fibrillation, thrombi in the left ventricle in acute and chronic coronary artery disease and dilated cardiomyopathies, infective endocarditis with vegetations, cardiac valve prosthesis thrombosis, cardiac tumors, mitral and aortic valve calcifications, aortic plaques and patent foramen ovale, are associated with cardioembolic events. Finally, acute ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebral events, epileptic seizures, cerebral traumas, and brain tumors can be associated with electrocardiographic abnormalities, catecholaminergic myocardial damage, or arrhythmias.

More Related Videos

Rodent Heart and Brain Tissue Preparation for Digital Macro Photography after Ischemia-reperfusion

Rodent Heart and Brain Tissue Preparation for Digital Macro Photography after Ischemia-reperfusion

Published on: February 1, 2022

Interactions with and Membrane Permeabilization of Brain Mitochondria by Amyloid Fibrils

Interactions with and Membrane Permeabilization of Brain Mitochondria by Amyloid Fibrils

Published on: September 28, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Heart

Anatomy of the Heart

The human heart is made up of three layers of tissue that are surrounded by the pericardium, a membrane that protects and confines the heart. The outermost layer, closest to the pericardium, is the epicardium. The pericardial cavity separates the pericardium from the epicardium. Beneath the epicardium is the myocardium, the middle layer, and the endocardium, the innermost layer. There are four chambers of the heart: the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium, and the left ventricle.

Anatomy of the Heart

Anatomy of the Heart

The heart is a hollow, muscular organ approximately the size of a fist, consisting of four chambers. It is enclosed in the pericardium, a fibrous sac with two layers: the visceral and parietal pericardium, separated by a fluid-filled space containing serous fluid to reduce friction.
The heart has three layers: the innermost endocardium, the muscular myocardium, and the outer epicardium, all working together for optimal cardiac function.
Chambers of the Heart
The heart is made up of four...

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.

Overview of the Heart

Overview of the Heart

The heart, a muscular organ located in the chest, functions as the body's pump, circulating blood through the vascular system. It has four chambers: two atria on top and two ventricles below. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body and passes it to the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and transfers it to the left ventricle, which pumps it to the rest of the body.
The heart's structure...

Conduction System of the Heart

Conduction System of the Heart

Autorhythmicity is a term that refers to the heart's inherent ability to generate electrical signals and instigate muscle contractions. This self-regulating conduction system within the heart consists of two key components: the pacemaker cells and specialized conducting cells.
The pacemaker cells are located in two primary nodes: the sinoatrial (SA) node and the atrioventricular (AV) node. The SA node pacemaker cells can autonomously depolarize, triggering an action potential that leads to the...

Conduction System of the Heart

Conduction System of the Heart

The cardiac conduction system produces and transmits electrical impulses that prompt myocardial contraction, ensuring efficient heart function. This intricate system ensures that the heart beats in a coordinated and efficient manner, beginning with the atria and then the ventricles. The conduction system optimizes cardiac output by maintaining this precise sequence, which is crucial for adequate blood circulation.
This system relies on the unique properties of nodal and Purkinje cells:...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Italian Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Cardiac Distress Inventory in Patients with Recent Cardiac Events.

Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

[Influenza vaccination as an intervention for cardiovascular prevention and protection in high-risk patients. SIPREC/ANMCO/SIMI/FADOI/ARCA consensus document].

Giornale italiano di cardiologia (2006)·2026

[ANMCO Statement - ANMCO National Audit Initiative: a strategy to improve quality of care and promote excellence in proximity].

Giornale italiano di cardiologia (2006)·2025

Brain natriuretic peptide and echocardiographic parameters as biomarkers for predicting new atrial fibrillation detection after acute ischemic stroke.

Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders·2025

Patient-centred estimation of multimorbidity in chronic disease populations: a novel approach integrating global burden of disease metrics and healthcare administrative data.

Population health metrics·2025

[After the ISCHEMIA trial and the new guidelines, does it still make sense to search for myocardial ischemia? When should a patient with chronic coronary syndrome be revascularized?]

Giornale italiano di cardiologia (2006)·2025

See all related articles