Researchers from the University of Regina in Canada have found that traumatic brain injuries do more than threaten immediate safety. They can also trigger heart-related complications. The findings were reported by a science-focused broadcaster, Speech, highlighting a link between head trauma and the heart that warrants careful scrutiny in medical practice and sports safety alike.
Experts note that blows to the head, whether they occur during contact sports, falls, or incidents of negligence, push the body into a stressed state that can influence heart rhythm and overall cardiac function. This stress response, driven by the body’s fight-or-flight mechanism, can alter how the heart responds to each beat and how efficiently blood is pumped throughout the body. The interplay between brain injury and heart activity becomes more evident when looking at what happens during a concussion, where physiological stress can ripple through the cardiovascular system and accentuate recovery challenges.
In humans, each heartbeat cycles through a phase of muscle contraction, called systole, followed by a phase of relaxation, known as diastole. The study indicates that concussions can affect systolic blood pressure, particularly in athletes who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. At the same time, systole can shorten, which may reduce the heart’s efficiency in circulating blood. These changes are most noticeable within the first few days after injury and can persist for several days, with some participants showing measurable effects for up to five days post-concussion. This nuanced cardiac response helps explain why concussion symptoms can sometimes feel more debilitating than the initial head impact alone.
According to the research, roughly one in five patients with head trauma exhibited an abnormal heart rhythm, underscoring how interconnected brain and heart health are. The added strain on the heart can intensify general stress in the body, which in turn can worsen concussion symptoms. There are also case reports indicating that addressing irregular heart rhythms may contribute to alleviating some neurological symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury, suggesting a bidirectional pathway between heart and brain health that merits further study.
The researchers emphasize that these discoveries call for a more integrated approach to examining brain–heart interactions. By recognizing that brain injuries can influence cardiovascular function, clinicians can improve monitoring, rehabilitation planning, and risk assessment for patients who have suffered concussions or other forms of head trauma. This perspective supports a holistic view of recovery, where cardiac health is considered alongside neurological outcomes to optimize safety and long-term wellbeing for patients in Canada and the United States alike.
Earlier commentary from scientists noted a broader impact of concussions on mental health among adolescents, highlighting the importance of addressing both physical and psychological dimensions in young people who experience head injuries. This emerging body of work reinforces the need for ongoing education, prevention strategies in sports and daily life, and comprehensive care pathways that consider the brain–heart axis as a critical component of recovery and resilience.