Individuals in Summerville who have been diagnosed with heart disease have more to worry about than managing stress and sticking to a healthy diet. Data shows they are more likely to experience hearing loss, as well.
How Does the Cardiovascular System Impact Hearing?
Cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of death in South Carolina; roughly one in every three fatalities can be attributed to this.
An estimated 84 million Americans are affected by heart disease. These individuals are impacted on a daily basis.
Flip those numbers around for the number of people who have hearing loss – 48 million.
You might not think there is a correlation, but research shows hearing impairment is a little-known side effect of coronary disease.
The connection can be attributed to poor blood flow.
Individuals with cardiovascular disease suffer from obstructions in the arteries and veins; this decreased blood flow can also impact the peripheral and central auditory systems, which feed the cochlea – a fluid-filled tube in the inner ear that converts sound waves into electrical pulses and transmits them to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.
Without an adequate blood supply, the cochlea won’t function properly, resulting in hearing loss.
One study of 1,600 patients with a history of cardiovascular disease found a 54 percent higher likelihood of impaired cochlear functioning as a result of their disease.
At the other end of the spectrum, a healthy heart was associated with unimpeded blood flow and fewer incidences of hearing impairment.
Protect Your Heart, Prevent Hearing Loss
People suffering from heart disease in Summerville can take steps to help reduce their chances of developing hearing loss. By following their doctor’s advice and adopting a healthy lifestyle, they will be well on their way to protecting their hearing.
Lifestyle changes should include switching to a heart-healthy diet, losing excess weight, refraining from smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy blood pressure.
If you have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, make sure to have regular hearing evaluations in order to detect any problems early.
Because your brain automatically adapts to a reduction in hearing ability, it’s often difficult to notice a problem.
Likewise, if you have hearing loss, it’s a good idea to undergo routine cardio screenings to ensure you aren’t suffering from an undetected heart problem.
For more questions on the connection between heart disease and hearing loss, make a call to your Summerville audiologist. If you are concerned about either, schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
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9185 US-78
North Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 793-6500
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Summerville, SC 29485
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2005 2nd Avenue
Summerville, SC 29486
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