Inflammation, Cardiovascular Health, and Vision | American Heart Month

Heart disease goes beyond increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Cardiovascular disease can affect the blood vessels throughout your body, including your eyes. In fact, the vessels in your eyes are directly affected by your cardiovascular health. 
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February is American Heart Month. It is a month designated to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease, its impact, and ways to promote heart health. 

​By reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, you also lower your risk of developing certain eye conditions. 

Continue reading for an examination of how cardiovascular disease can affect the eyes, the role of inflammation, and how to reduce your risk of vision complications. 
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The role of inflammation 

When it comes to heart health, blood pressure, and cholesterol often get the most attention. However, inflammation is now recognized as playing a central role in cardiovascular disease.
 
Inflammation is a normal defense response to injury or infection. But inflammation can also cause health problems when it becomes chronic. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and smoking can lead to chronic inflammation. 

Inflammation may damage the arterial lining and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Damage to blood vessels from inflammation is not limited to the heart. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, inflammation is a common pathway of cardiovascular disease and certain eye conditions. Chronic inflammation can disrupt blood flow to the retina, leading to damage and accelerating age-related vision changes.
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How does heart health affect the eyes?

Your retina depends on healthy circulation to deliver the nutrients and oxygen it needs.  When your blood vessels are hard and not functioning as well as they should, even minor changes in blood flow may affect how well the retina functions. 

Other cardiovascular changes, such as high blood pressure, can cause the vessels going to the retina to thicken, leak, or narrow. Eventually, this can reduce oxygen delivery to the retina, leading to possible damage.
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Shared risks 

Cardiovascular disease and certain eye diseases also have similar risk factors. By reducing your controllable risk factors, you not only promote a heart-healthy cardiovascular system but also lower your risk of certain eye diseases.

Shared risk factors include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Smoking

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Why an eye exam is crucial for people with heart disease

A comprehensive eye exam is important for everyone to protect their eye health, but for people who have been diagnosed with heart disease, it is even more critical. 

A comprehensive eye exam will allow your eye doctor to assess the health of your optic nerve, examine the retina's blood vessels, and spot subtle inflammatory changes that may lead to eye disease.
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Reducing your risk of heart disease, chronic inflammation, and eye diseases 

Healthy lifestyle habits may reduce your risk of inflammation and subsequently cardiovascular disease and vision complications. Consider the following modifications.

Practice proper nutrition: Eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which support vascular health.

Get moving: Exercising regularly for about 30 minutes on most days of the week can improve circulation throughout the body, including the eyes.

Prioritize sleep: Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, which helps decrease inflammatory markers and improve your body's ability to heal.

Manage stress: Find healthy ways to reduce stress since chronic stress can increase inflammatory hormones that can affect vision quality.

Avoid smoking: Not smoking is one of the most important ways to protect your cardiovascular health and vision. If you do smoke, talk to your doctor about smoking cessation methods and strategies to break the habit.

Your cardiovascular health affects your vision and your overall wellness.  Even small changes may have a positive impact on your vision and heart.

If you have any questions, we are happy to help. If you would like to schedule an eye appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.