Had a Stroke? Here Is Why You Should Also See a Cardiologist
A stroke can be a frightening experience. Most people know they need to see a neurologist after a stroke — but many do not realise that the heart can be closely connected to what happened in the brain. Dr. Nikhila Pachani, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Backbone Medicity Hospital, Rajkot, recently addressed this important question: Why should a stroke patient see a cardiologist?
The Heart–Brain Connection
Your brain depends on a steady supply of blood. When a clot or blockage cuts off that supply, a stroke occurs. What many people do not know is that a large number of strokes are caused by heart-related problems. If the heart issue is not found and treated, the risk of having another stroke remains high.
What a Cardiologist Looks For After a Stroke
When you visit a cardiologist following a stroke, they will look for hidden heart conditions that may have triggered the event. These include:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF): An irregular heart rhythm that can cause blood clots to form inside the heart and travel to the brain.
- Heart valve disease: Damaged or leaky valves can create conditions where clots develop.
- Clots inside the heart: Sometimes a clot sits silently in the heart and is only discovered after a stroke.
These conditions can be detected through non-invasive tests such as an ECG, echocardiogram (echo), or a Holter monitor test.
How a Cardiologist Helps Prevent Another Stroke
Finding the cause is only the first step. A cardiologist also helps manage the key risk factors that raise your chances of a future stroke, including:
- High blood pressure — one of the strongest risk factors for both stroke and heart disease.
- High cholesterol — which contributes to artery blockages.
- Abnormal heart rhythm — which may need medication or a procedure to control.
By addressing these factors, a cardiologist works alongside your neurologist to give you a more complete layer of protection.
A Simple Way to Think About It
Protecting your brain means taking care of your heart. The two are not separate. If you or someone in your family has had a stroke or a TIA (mini-stroke), a cardiology review is an important part of the recovery and prevention plan — not something to skip.
If you or a loved one has had a stroke, consider speaking with a qualified cardiologist to understand whether a heart-related cause needs to be looked into. You can book a consultation with Dr. Nikhila Pachani at Backbone Medicity Hospital, Rajkot.