Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) linked to Heart Attack and Stroke

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common eye disease among older people and it can leads to heart attack or stroke. It is believed to be genetic disease.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes the macula (the centre of the retina) to deteriorate and degenerate.

People with early stage of AMD double their risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years and those with advance AMD had an even greater risk.

There are two type of Age-related macular degeneration AMD, the wet type AMD and dry type AMD.

Wet type AMD

When abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula, leak and damage it. It is an advanced form which condition causes the centre of the retina or macular to degenerate.

Dry type AMD

It is a milder and common form when the yellow waste material being deposited on the macula.

The possible cause of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) could be inflammation. This condition happen when the immune system is revved up resulting in increased chronic inflammation particularly in the eyes, in response reaction to substances such as tobacco and cholesterol. Smoking is also a risk factor.

This chronic inflammation is probably the result of cholesterol and other fatty substances being deposited on the walls of blood vessels which then becomes narrowed and blocked.

The exact relationship between wet AMD and stroke is not known. However, the root causes of a stroke in the brain and AMD are probably similar.  One reason may be that the conditions share a similar set of underlying problems and causes. Such as the thickening of the arteries, tissue inflammation and damage caused by high blood pressure.

Another possible cause of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) could be the use of anti-VEGF drug treatments for wet AMD. These drugs work by limiting the production of protein that helps to form new blood vessels. In people with wet AMD the newly formed blood vessels are unstable, it tends to leak fluid and blood under the retina which causes scarring and can lead to blindness.

Given the possible link with heart attack and stroke, questions are being asked whether limiting new blood vessel growth could have a damaging effect on the wider cardiovascular system.

What causes a stroke is usually a blockage in the blood vessels in the brain. AMD is also the result of abnormal circulation. The factors of developing a stroke are probably the very factors that raise the risk of developing AMD.

Example, obesity doubles the risk of stroke as well as of developing AMD. This also includes smoking.

To reduce the risk of stroke, people with AMD should exercise regularly to keep their weight in check, stop smoking and eat lots of fruits and vegetables which contain antioxidants that are believed to lower inflammation.

For those who are worried about the linked between Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stroke is to look at it in a positive way. What is interesting about the information is that it highlights the potential link and opportunity to understand and prevent Stroke in people with AMD. Hence, able to reduce the progression of AMD and would also able to reduce the chances of having a heart attack or stroke.