What cardiac complication is observed in about 25% of stroke patients within 72 hours?

What cardiac complication is observed in about 25% of stroke patients within 72 hours?

• A. Myocardial infarction
• B. Arrhythmias including A-fib
• C. Heart failure in all patients
• D. Pulmonary embolism within 24 hours in majority

Answer: (B)

After an acute stroke, the brain’s autonomic control over the heart can become unstable, leading to electrical disturbances in the heart. In the first few days, about a quarter of patients develop cardiac rhythm problems, and atrial fibrillation is the most common among them. This makes arrhythmias including AF the best answer for the observed early cardiac complication. While a myocardial infarction can occur, it is not the typical early event in this context and doesn’t happen in about 25% of patients within 72 hours. Heart failure is not universal in stroke patients. Pulmonary embolism can happen but is not seen in the majority within 24 hours.

After an acute stroke, the brain’s autonomic control over the heart can become unstable, leading to electrical disturbances in the heart. In the first few days, about a quarter of patients develop cardiac rhythm problems, and atrial fibrillation is the most common among them. This makes arrhythmias including AF the best answer for the observed early cardiac complication.

While a myocardial infarction can occur, it is not the typical early event in this context and doesn’t happen in about 25% of patients within 72 hours. Heart failure is not universal in stroke patients. Pulmonary embolism can happen but is not seen in the majority within 24 hours.