Cardiovascular Effects Of Neurological Diseases

Neurological disorders can significantly affect cardiovascular function most likely through disruption of autonomic outflow and with the involvement of common pathogenic processes such as neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. This article seeks to discuss cardiovascular diseases that develop in people with neurological disorders; conditions that include Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis (MS). The approach used in this study is a systematic review of articles published in the last two decades across several databases using observational and interventional studies. The information was gathered from appropriate databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The review points out that, for example, Parkinson’s disease often leads to orthostatic hypotension or arrhythmias resulting from dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Alzheimer’s disease shares a close correlation with hypertension and coronary artery disease which precipitate further deterioration of cognitive function. Moreover, epilepsy has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, while in MS patients risk of cardiovascular complications is elevated as a result of chronic inflammation and physical inactivity. Such results therefore call for collaborative practice between neurologists and cardiologists as they help promote patient care. In conclusion, the identification of cardiovascular complications of neurological diseases helps increase the survival rate by identifying complications early and preventing their advancement. To better understand the interaction between the nervous and cardiovascular systems especially in patients with chronic neurological diseases, more clinical research is required.

Keywords:

Neurological diseases , cardiovascular complications , autonomic dysfunction , neurocardiology , Parkinson’s disease