A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that can cause changes in movement, behavior, sensation, or consciousness. A heart attack, on the other hand, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, leading to tissue damage or death. While a seizure is not a typical sign of an impending heart attack, certain cardiac events can lead to seizure-like activity. This connection involves the brain’s response to a sudden lack of oxygen, which can happen during severe heart-related incidents.
How Cardiac Events Can Lead to Seizures
Cardiac events can precipitate seizure-like activity by severely reducing blood flow and oxygen to the brain, a condition known as cerebral hypoxia or anoxia. The brain is highly sensitive to oxygen deprivation; even a brief interruption can disrupt its normal electrical function. When brain cells are deprived of sufficient oxygen, they can become damaged, leading to abnormal electrical discharges that manifest as seizures. Conditions such as cardiac arrest or severe arrhythmias can rapidly cut off blood supply to the brain. This sudden lack of oxygen and nutrients can induce anoxic or hypoxic seizures. These seizures are a symptom of the brain’s distress due to the cardiac event, rather than a primary neurological disorder like epilepsy. The cardiac event is the underlying cause, leading to the brain’s temporary malfunction and subsequent seizure activity.
Distinguishing Seizures from Other Events
Distinguishing a true epileptic seizure from other events, such as syncope (fainting), is important for proper diagnosis. Syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain, often triggered by heart problems like arrhythmias or structural heart disease, in what is known as cardiac syncope.
During cardiac syncope, individuals may experience brief jerking movements, which can be mistaken for seizure activity. However, these movements are typically less rhythmic and sustained than those seen in a true epileptic seizure. A key differentiating factor is the postictal state, the period of confusion or disorientation that often follows a true seizure. People experiencing syncope usually regain full consciousness quickly without prolonged confusion.
Impact of Seizures on Heart Function
While cardiac events can cause seizures, seizures can also affect heart function. Severe or prolonged epileptic seizures influence the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and blood pressure. This intense neurological activity can lead to temporary changes in cardiovascular parameters.
Common changes include an increase in heart rate (tachycardia) and blood pressure, driven by sympathetic nervous system activation during the seizure. Less commonly, seizures can cause a significant slowing of the heart rate (bradycardia) or even brief pauses in heartbeats (asystole). These cardiac effects are generally transient and occur during or immediately after the seizure. While not indicative of an underlying heart attack, any heart-related symptoms during a seizure warrant medical evaluation.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Immediate emergency medical attention is necessary for situations involving seizures or suspected cardiac events. If someone experiences a new onset seizure, particularly if accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness, calling emergency services is important. These symptoms could indicate a serious underlying condition involving the brain or heart.
Any suspected heart attack symptoms, such as persistent chest discomfort, pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back, shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea, also require immediate medical evaluation. If a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, or if a person has difficulty breathing or does not regain consciousness after a seizure, emergency help should be sought. Only medical professionals can accurately diagnose the cause of such events and provide appropriate treatment.
How Cardiac Events Can Lead to Seizures
Cardiac events can cause seizure-like activity by significantly reducing the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain, a condition termed cerebral hypoxia or anoxia. The brain demands a constant and substantial supply of oxygen to function properly. When oxygen deprivation occurs, even for a short period, brain cells can malfunction, leading to abnormal electrical discharges that manifest as seizures.
Conditions such as cardiac arrest or severe arrhythmias can abruptly halt blood flow to the brain. This sudden lack of oxygen and nutrients can induce anoxic or hypoxic seizures. In these instances, the cardiac event is the root cause, leading to the brain’s temporary dysfunction and subsequent seizure symptoms.
Distinguishing Seizures from Other Events
Distinguishing a true epileptic seizure from other events, such as syncope (fainting), is important for accurate diagnosis. Syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain, often triggered by heart problems in what is known as cardiac syncope.
During cardiac syncope, individuals may exhibit brief, involuntary muscle jerks or twitches, which can be mistaken for seizure activity. However, these movements are typically less rhythmic and sustained than those observed in an epileptic seizure. A key difference lies in the postictal state; individuals experiencing syncope usually regain full consciousness quickly without a prolonged period of confusion or disorientation, unlike many true seizures.
Impact of Seizures on Heart Function
Seizures can also impact heart function, though this is generally less common than cardiac events causing seizures. Severe or prolonged epileptic seizures influence the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate and blood pressure. This intense neurological activity can lead to temporary changes in cardiovascular parameters.
Common changes include an increase in heart rate (tachycardia) and blood pressure, often due to sympathetic nervous system activation during the seizure. Less frequently, seizures can cause a significant slowing of the heart rate (bradycardia) or even brief pauses in heartbeats (asystole). These cardiac effects are typically transient and occur during or immediately after the seizure, and are not usually indicative of an underlying heart attack.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Immediate emergency medical attention is crucial for any new onset seizure, especially if accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness. These combinations of symptoms could indicate a serious underlying condition affecting the brain or heart. Calling emergency services like 911 is the recommended action.
Any suspected heart attack symptoms, including persistent chest discomfort, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back, shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea, also warrant immediate emergency medical evaluation. If a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, or if a person has difficulty breathing or does not regain consciousness after a seizure, urgent help is necessary. Only medical professionals can accurately diagnose the cause of such events and provide appropriate, timely treatment.