Medications Drugs with both antidepressant and cardiometabolic actions are in the process of being studied. Most of the medications work on stressors of the heart and some also work to treat the neuropsychiatric diseases. Antidepressant medications have shown to be insufficient to induce normalization of the cardiovascular dysfunctions, which are associated with the psychiatric conditions. * Hypercatecholaminergic medications * Adrenoreceptor blockers (alpha and beta) They are most commonly used to treat hypercatecholaminergic states. Overall the blockers reduce incidences of long-term disease. The blockade not only affects cardiomyocytes directly but also works to reduce the risks of heart failure and hypertension. One side effect is that it can activate pulmonary edema with patients who unstable hearts. In particular, beta-blockers are used for the management of cardiac arrhythmias. They link the brain and the cardiovascular system in cardiovascular diseases. Beta-blockers have also been studied in depressed patients. A meta-analysis concluded that with anti-depressant medication, the percentage of patients in remission from depressed symptoms significantly increased from just anti-depressants alone. This suggests that this type of medication might be beneficial for both behavioral and cardiovascular symptoms of depression. * Aldosterone antagonist * Spironolactone This medication acts by inhibiting binding to mineralocorticoid receptors. This has shown positive feedback in tackling both cardiovascular and activation of the main feature of stress-related disorders. Aldosterone antagonists are usually a form of combined treatment with other cardiac medications, but it appears to induce favorable sympathovagal balance. Some side effects of Spironolactone are hyperkalemia, erectile dysfunction, lower testosterone levels, and menstrual irregularities, all of which lead to an increase in noncompliance with the medication. * Adrenoreceptor agonist * Clonidine Acts on the central nervous system to inhibit the sympathetic nervous system, leading to a decrease in blood pressure. It is commonly used to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks by treating high blood pressure, anxiety, and panic disorders. It also leads to the decreased activity of norepinephrine release from the sympathetic nerve terminals. Physical activity and diet Lifestyle modifications play a crucial role in management of cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Physical activity and a well-balanced diet favor cardiovascular conditioning and improves performance and capacity. Exercise has a positive effect on the metabolism, which controls glucose levels, especially for stress-related pathology and brain disorders such as depression, which impose a heavy burden on the cardiovascular system. Many studies are currently being done for more information and knowledge regarding the common mediators for cardiovascular disease and the central nervous system. The brain-heart interaction is considered bidirectional, however the majority of times the central nervous system is regulated more over the heart and blood vessels.
Neurocardiology
Cardiology
Neuroergonomics
Neurology
Endocrinology
Neuroendocrinology
Neurophotonics
Neuromuscular medicine