Heart Attack Eye Symptoms

Introduction

Although the heart and eyes are two separate organs, there exists a reciprocal relationship between the two . The popular saying that the “eyes are the window to your heart” holds substantial importance in healthcare. This is because the health of your heart can be determined  by looking at your eyes.

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is a life-threatening condition that occurs when certain regions of the heart do not receive sufficient blood supply. The heart is an organ that constantly receives deoxygenated blood from the veins and distributes oxygenated blood through the aorta to various parts of your body including the heart itself. Interruption in the supply of blood to segments of your heart will potentially cause “tissue death'' due to lack of oxygen.  A heart attack could feel like tightening or squeezing around the chest region, fainting spells, shortness of breath and, rarely, no  signs at all.

Causes 

The chief cause of a heart attack is usually a blockage of the blood vessel supplying the heart.   This blockage is habitually caused by a buildup of dead tissues and/or fatty acid deposits, a process known as atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerotic plaque narrows the blood vessels and can lead to the formation of a clot. A total blockage occurs when a thrombus or an embolus occludes the arteries completely. This leads to an infarct.

Symptoms of heart attack

• Chest discomfort
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness
• Cold sweats

Symptoms of heart attack in the eyes

Changes in Blood Vessels in the Eyes

Blood vessels constrict or dilate in response to numerous factors, and those in the eye are no exception. Idyllically, renal arteries are twice or thrice bigger than veins. During a heart attack, the arteries in the eyes may become quite small or the veins too large. 

Xanthelasmas

Are yellowish cholesterol deposits that are often found on one or both eyelids. A diagnosis of Xanthelasmas could imply hypercholesterolemia; a condition where high amounts of cholesterol are found in the blood and by extension blood vessels. Xanthelasmas are usually not harmful except for aesthetic purposes. They, however, do not go away on their own without treatment.

Transient Vision Loss

TVL is the term used for periods of reversible visual loss that last for less than 24 hours.¹The most common cause of TVL is a blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the eyes by a thrombus or an embolus originating from the heart or aorta after the rupture of atherosclerotic plaque, or one emanating locally from the retina or optic nerve of the eye.² TVL could occur in one or both eyes.

Other changes in the eyes

Dry eyes could also indicate a heart attack.

How can heart health affect the eyes?

Since  the heart is responsible for supplying blood to your eyes, changes in the rate and flow of blood to the eyes will produce significant changes that affect the functioning of the eyes.

The retina is known to consume the highest level of oxygen per blood volume out of all organs in the body,⁴ and blood flow to the eye is auto-regulated.

Heart diseases caused by an increased blood pressure will alter small blood vessel supply resulting in a condition known as hypertensive retinopathy. This condition is characterized by blurred vision, swelling blot clots and or nerve damage.

Elevated blood pressure is a constant factor in hypertensive crises if allowed to persist for longer periods without proper medical treatment can result in permanent eye damage with an attendant loss of vision.

Diagnosis

Eye examination

Eye care practitioners will often use an ophthalmoscope (an instrument that projects light) to view the back of the eyes. The eye doctor will be on the lookout for

• Blood clots
• Narrowing of blood vessels in the eye
• Any spots on the retina
• Swelling in major areas of the retina as well as the optic nerve.

Optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography is a non-invasive technique used for diagnosis that uses light waves to take a cross image of your retina. OCT examinations are done to access the general well-being of your eyes. The test is usually painless and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Before the test your ophthalmologist will administer an eyedrop into your eye to dilate them, this will ensure they get a proper view of your eyes. They will be looking out specifically for changes in your retina, optic nerve and blood vessels. Once a proper diagnosis is made,  medications will be recommended.

OCT can also be used to diagnose

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma
• Macular degeneration and oedema

Treatment

Myocardial infarction or a heart attack can be treated using several interventions

• Vasodilators: These medications dilate the arteries, thus increasing the amount of blood that reaches the heart, and by extension, increases oxygen levels . Examples of vasodilators are Nitroglycerin and Nitropruside.
• Anti-Clotting Medication: Aspirin is useful in thinning the blood, to eliminate the chance of clot formation. Though it is a  nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), Aspirin does not produce troublesome gastrointestinal  side effects like other NSAIDs.
• Antithrombotic Agents: These groups of medications include anticoagulants (Heparin and Warfarin) or antiplatelets (Clopidogrel). 

Prevention

To prevent a heart attack and its accompanying  eye symptoms, it is important to do the following:

• Maintain a healthy weight - A simple way to know if your weight is within a healthy range is to calculate your Body Mass Index.
• Exercising moderately for 20-30 minutes daily. 
• Eat plant-based meals -  Plant based meals are advantageous in lowering low-density lipoproteins (LDL) implicated in cardiovascular diseases.³
• Visit your physician regularly for routine check ups. Medical check-ups help doctors identify risk and genetic factors that will maintain your health 
• Quit smoking
• Limit stress
• Treat any underlying illness and adhere to all medications as prescribed by your physician

Summary

A heart attack cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be managed. It is imperative to report any changes or symptoms you notice to your doctor before the situation worsens and leads to irreversible damage .