2.6. Neurocardiology: Cardiovascular and Neurological Disorders

Neurocardiology, which looks at the connections between the brain and heart, shows how closely neurological and cardiac functions are linked. This interaction affects many health conditions across both systems. Mishra et al. point out that simultaneous EEG and ECG monitoring in epilepsy models can help spot neurocardiac dysfunctions, giving new insights into conditions like sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) . In a similar way, Chen et al. examine how brain injuries, such as stroke, can lead to issues with the heart, highlighting the need for better understanding of these brain-heart interactions to manage post-stroke care more effectively . This connection doesn’t stop there. Cermakova et al. go further, looking at the link between heart failure and Alzheimer’s disease. They suggest that cardiovascular issues might even contribute to neurodegenerative diseases due to things like impaired blood flow to the brain .

Stress and emotions have a big impact on brain-heart interactions, which is also a major focus in neurocardiology. For instance, Pereira et al. and Zou et al. both emphasize that chronic stress and anxiety are actually risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. They point out that stress-related brain activity can increase the risk of arrhythmias and high blood pressure , . Ramasamy and Varadan’s work on wearable tech shows that it’s possible to monitor emotions in real-time through EEG and ECG, opening up new possibilities for mental health applications and biofeedback therapies . Tsioufis, meanwhile, addresses how acute stress, like in high-stakes situations, can spark heart issues. From arrhythmias to even heart attacks, stress can be a major trigger for cardiac events . Altogether, these findings highlight the physiological links between emotional health and cardiovascular risks.

Finally, neurocardiology researching is exploring therapies aimed at regulating the autonomic nervous system to support heart health. Craig et al. studied neuro-cardiac self-regulation therapy for spinal cord injury patients, showing that controlling heart rate variability can benefit both the autonomic and neural systems . Shivkumar et al. and Goldstein both discuss neuroscience-based cardiovascular therapies, focusing on the importance of the autonomic nervous system in treating heart diseases , . In addition, Ardell et al. and Gurel et al. also support the idea that the cardiac nervous system can be targeted to improve heart function, suggesting that specific interventions here could enhance therapeutic outcomes , . Lastly, the idea of “Heart-Brain” clinics, proposed by Nijskens et al., shows growing interest in combining neurological and cardiac care, especially for complex issues like heart failure and cognitive problems .