Neurocardiology

Neurocardiology is an interdisciplinary field of medicine that focuses on the interactions between the nervous system and the cardiovascular system. This field has emerged from the understanding that the nervous system and cardiovascular system are intricately linked and that disturbances in one system can profoundly affect the functioning of the other.

Overview

The field of neurocardiology is concerned with the neurological and neurophysiological aspects of cardiology, including the neurological origins of cardiac disorders. The effects of stress on the heart are studied in terms of the heart's interactions with both the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system.

Clinical issues in neurocardiology include cardiac arrhythmias, syncope, and sudden cardiac death. Neurocardiogenic syncope and other related conditions are also of particular interest in this field.

Neurocardiogenic Syncope

Neurocardiogenic syncope is a clinical syndrome characterized by transient loss of consciousness and postural tone, which is usually triggered by emotional stress or physical factors. It is the most common cause of syncope. The underlying mechanism involves an inappropriate reflex response in the heart and blood vessels, mediated by the autonomic nervous system.

Cardiac Arrhythmias

Cardiac arrhythmias are disturbances in the regular rhythm of the heartbeat. Some arrhythmias are life-threatening medical emergencies that can cause cardiac arrest and sudden death. Others cause aggravating symptoms, such as an awareness of a different heart beat, or palpitation, which can be annoying.

Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a sudden, unexpected death caused by loss of heart function. SCD is the largest cause of natural death in the United States, causing about 325,000 adult deaths in the United States each year. SCD is responsible for half of all heart disease deaths.

See Also

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Autonomic Nervous System
• Cardiac Arrest
• Heart Disease

References

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