Questions on Heart Disease and Vision | American Heart Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, heart disease is currently the number one cause of death for both females and males. 

In addition to the life-threatening consequences of heart disease, it can also impact other body systems. One possible effect you may not be aware of is on your eyes and vision.
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February is American Heart Month, which draws additional attention to the serious consequences of heart disease. This article includes questions and answers on the link between heart disease and vision, including ways to reduce your risk.

Why does your cardiovascular health potentially affect your eyes?

Like your heart, your eyes depend on a network of blood vessels to receive nutrients and oxygen. Damage to these delicate blood vessels due to cardiovascular disease can adversely impact blood flow to your eyes. This may potentially cause an occlusion or blockage in the retinal artery leading to vision loss.

However, that's not the only adverse effect. There also appears to be an inflammatory connection between heart disease and eye disease. Chronic inflammation is linked to various cardiovascular diseases and is also associated with certain eye conditions, including some forms of age-related macular degeneration.
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Can having a heart attack affect vision? 

Yes, vision can become affected after a heart attack due to altered blood flow to the eyes. A heart attack involves decreased blood flow to the heart, compromising cardiac function. When the heart is not pumping blood effectively, the blood supply to the eyes may become reduced. This can lead to vision problems, such as blurred vision, dark spots, and possibly temporary vision loss. 

Can an eye exam reveal information about your heart health?

An eye exam should not replace a complete physical by your physician. However, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, early signs of heart disease are found in the eyes. For example, your eye specialist can view the blood vessels in the eye for a comprehensive eye exam and detect signs of high blood pressure. 

Is there an association between certain eye diseases and your heart health? 

There appears to be a link between certain eye diseases and heart health. For instance, if you have high blood pressure, you are at higher risk of certain conditions, such as hypersensitive retinopathy. 

However, it may also work in reverse. Having certain types of eye diseases may mean you're at a higher risk for certain heart conditions. According to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, individuals with a certain form of age-related macular degeneration are at a higher risk of developing heart failure than those without the eye disease. 

Research continues on why certain eye conditions may increase the risk of heart problems. However, researchers theorize that cardiovascular disease and eye diseases may share some similar underlying mechanisms, such as chronic inflammation and damage to blood vessels.
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Do heart-healthy habits benefit your vision?

Maintaining heart-healthy habits can benefit your vision and overall health. For instance, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding smoking can reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. These lifestyle choices help support optimal eye health and reduce your risk of heart disease and vision-related problems.

The connection between heart health and vision health remains a topic of research. Health habits that decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease also reduce your risk of eye problems. Remember, one of the best things you can do for your eye health is to have regular comprehensive eye exams.

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.