The Heart-Brain Axis: Key Concepts in Neurocardiology

Abstract. The heart-brain axis involves complex interactions between the cardiovascular and nervous systems via a network of cortical and subcortical structures working with the autonomic nervous system and intracardiac nervous system. Heart-brain interactions may be divided into 2 broad categories:...

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Main Authors: Fang Qin Goh, Benjamin Y.Q. Tan, Leonard L.L. Yeo, Ching-Hui Sia, Hanjia Gao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Health/LWW 2025-06-01
Series:Cardiology Discovery
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CD9.0000000000000156
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author Fang Qin Goh
Benjamin Y.Q. Tan
Leonard L.L. Yeo
Ching-Hui Sia
Hanjia Gao
author_facet Fang Qin Goh
Benjamin Y.Q. Tan
Leonard L.L. Yeo
Ching-Hui Sia
Hanjia Gao
author_sort Fang Qin Goh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract. The heart-brain axis involves complex interactions between the cardiovascular and nervous systems via a network of cortical and subcortical structures working with the autonomic nervous system and intracardiac nervous system. Heart-brain interactions may be divided into 2 broad categories: cardiac effects of neurological disease and neurological effects of cardiac disease. The pathogenesis of neurogenic cardiac effects is thought to involve a neurogenic cascade where sudden shifts in autonomic balance lead to an exaggerated catecholamine release. This can occur in acute neurological conditions such as ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and epilepsy. Cardiovascular complications include the stroke-heart syndrome, neurogenic pulmonary edema and cardiomyopathy, Takotsubo syndrome, arrhythmias, and even sudden cardiac death. Certain areas of the brain, such as the insular cortex, play key roles in cardiac autonomic regulation, and disorders affecting these areas have greater effects on the heart. On the other hand, cardiac conditions can also adversely impact the neurological system. Atrial fibrillation and left ventricular thrombus can cause cardioembolic strokes, whereas heart failure and severe aortic stenosis have been linked to the development of cognitive impairment. This review aims to provide a broad overview of key topics in neurocardiology as well as delve into the evidence and pathophysiology behind these conditions.
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institution DOAJ
issn 2096-952X
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language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Health/LWW
record_format Article
series Cardiology Discovery
spelling doaj-art-3293e8e60d8c4a54846b209663f4a6812025-08-20T02:39:28ZengWolters Kluwer Health/LWWCardiology Discovery2096-952X2693-84992025-06-015216217710.1097/CD9.0000000000000156202506000-00007The Heart-Brain Axis: Key Concepts in NeurocardiologyFang Qin Goh0Benjamin Y.Q. Tan1Leonard L.L. Yeo2Ching-Hui Sia3Hanjia Gao1 Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 1190742 Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 1190742 Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 1190743 Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 119074Abstract. The heart-brain axis involves complex interactions between the cardiovascular and nervous systems via a network of cortical and subcortical structures working with the autonomic nervous system and intracardiac nervous system. Heart-brain interactions may be divided into 2 broad categories: cardiac effects of neurological disease and neurological effects of cardiac disease. The pathogenesis of neurogenic cardiac effects is thought to involve a neurogenic cascade where sudden shifts in autonomic balance lead to an exaggerated catecholamine release. This can occur in acute neurological conditions such as ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and epilepsy. Cardiovascular complications include the stroke-heart syndrome, neurogenic pulmonary edema and cardiomyopathy, Takotsubo syndrome, arrhythmias, and even sudden cardiac death. Certain areas of the brain, such as the insular cortex, play key roles in cardiac autonomic regulation, and disorders affecting these areas have greater effects on the heart. On the other hand, cardiac conditions can also adversely impact the neurological system. Atrial fibrillation and left ventricular thrombus can cause cardioembolic strokes, whereas heart failure and severe aortic stenosis have been linked to the development of cognitive impairment. This review aims to provide a broad overview of key topics in neurocardiology as well as delve into the evidence and pathophysiology behind these conditions.http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CD9.0000000000000156
spellingShingle Fang Qin Goh
Benjamin Y.Q. Tan
Leonard L.L. Yeo
Ching-Hui Sia
Hanjia Gao
The Heart-Brain Axis: Key Concepts in Neurocardiology
Cardiology Discovery
title The Heart-Brain Axis: Key Concepts in Neurocardiology
title_full The Heart-Brain Axis: Key Concepts in Neurocardiology
title_fullStr The Heart-Brain Axis: Key Concepts in Neurocardiology
title_full_unstemmed The Heart-Brain Axis: Key Concepts in Neurocardiology
title_short The Heart-Brain Axis: Key Concepts in Neurocardiology
title_sort heart brain axis key concepts in neurocardiology
url http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CD9.0000000000000156
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