Can Multiple Sclerosis Affect The Heart?

Multiple sclerosis refers to an unpredictable and a disabling disease associated with one’s central nervous system. It disrupts the information flow inside the brain and between the body and brain. Moreover, a few experts also perceive MS as an immune related disorder, according to which immune system of a person attacks various healthy tissues of CNS in an incorrect way.

Research studies have found that patients suffering from multiple sclerosis have relatively higher heart problems because of intrinsic myocardial diseases. ^{(1) (2)} Because of this, they have taken the necessary steps to conduct cardiovascular examinations by the help of advanced techniques.

A few of the research studies have revealed that multiple sclerosis has close association with increased risk related to admission of patients in hospital for heart attack, stroke and heart failure, which suggest that early diagnosis of various cardiovascular impairments is essential to come with the required preventative care in them.

Another key aspect associated with multiple sclerosis has revealed that patients with MS problem have their reduced left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions, impaired activity in the right ventricular systolic area and increase in the pressure in their systolic pulmonary arteries. However, such patients have shown parameters related to the supply of blood to their heart, arteries functions and heart failure unchanged.

Research studies have revealed that patients suffering from multiple sclerosis have relatively higher incidence related to cardiovascular problems. This is because of mutated protein muscles, which also remain present in the heart muscles i.e. myocardium.

Studies have highlighted that multiple sclerosis patients have relatively higher frequency of various cardiac problems and related risk factors. These include high levels of lipid, smoking and lack of physical exercises.

Studies have revealed and proved that multiple sclerosis patients have increased risks related to cardiac impairments related to intrinsic type of myocardial disease. Considering the results, we should say that patients thus require undergoing a comprehensive type of cardiovascular examination by the help of advanced techniques with the aim to avoid life-threatening type of heart failure.

Until now, the cause of multiple sclerosis has remained unknown among scientists. However, they perceive that the problem activates because of various factors, which include the following-

• Immunological factors
• Genetic factors
• Environmental factors
• Infections or infectious agents
• Epidemology

Symptoms associated with the problem of multiple sclerosis are of unpredictable and vary in severity levels and types among people and in same individuals with time.

However, in most of the cases, symptoms take place because of the damage of central nervous system i.e. visual nerves, spinal cord and brain. Besides this, inflammation from the immune process related to multiple sclerosis causes myelin damage, oligodendrocytes problem and affects the underlying fiber of the nerve. Symptoms in this case disappear or completely remit or they may persist to make your condition worse during the later phases of your problem.

Common symptoms of the problem include the following-

• Blurred vision
• Tingling and Numbness
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Double vision
• Poor coordination
• Weaknesses
• Pain and depression
• Imbalance along with
• Various problems related to memory as well as concentration

The problem of multiple sclerosis affects the cardiovascular functions of a person in different ways, which result in abnormalities related to heart rate, blood pressure response, heart rhythm, cardiomyopathy and left ventricular systolic functions.

References:

1. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26671744

Also Read:

• Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis & List of Medications to Treat MS
• How is Transverse Myelitis Connected to Multiple Sclerosis?
• Remedies to Combat Constipation In Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• How Do You Get Multiple Sclerosis?
• Can You Die From Multiple Sclerosis?
• Can Multiple Sclerosis Be Cured?
• Prevention Of Multiple Sclerosis