Can people with cerebral embolism run?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on May 06, 2025
00:00
00:00

Patients with cerebral embolism are mostly caused by heart diseases, especially atrial fibrillation, which is the most common complication leading to cerebral embolism. If it is the acute phase of cerebral embolism, the patient's condition is unstable and symptoms may worsen, so running is definitely not suitable at this time. If the recovery from cerebral embolism is already very good, the patient's condition is stable, and there are no significant heart function issues, then the patient may engage in running exercises under the assessment of neurologists and cardiologists. Running can help to strengthen the physique, improve blood circulation, and also aid in the recovery from cerebral embolism, but it is important to ensure that the exercise intensity is not too high, to avoid putting too much strain on the heart.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Guidelines for Thrombolytic Therapy for Cerebral Embolism

Cerebral embolism is a particularly dangerous type of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Patients present with a very abrupt onset, typically with a history of atrial fibrillation. Acute onset rapidly leads to limb paralysis, and may also cause disturbances in consciousness and seizures, among other clinical manifestations. Current guidelines for thrombolytic treatment of cerebral embolism do not address extensive cerebral embolism, as thrombolysis in extensive cerebral embolism carries a certain risk of bleeding and is not generally advocated in clinical practice. Mainly, arterial thrombectomy treatment can be administered within an eight-hour window, which can provide significant therapeutic effects for some patients. Additionally, if the cerebral embolism is considered small and the patient's consciousness is relatively intact, intravenous thrombolytic treatment can be given. The time window for intravenous thrombolysis is generally within four and a half hours, so it is crucial to get to a hospital as quickly as possible in the event of a suspected cerebral embolism.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
1min 8sec home-news-image

Initial symptoms of cerebral embolism

The initial characteristics of cerebral embolism generally include a sudden onset and rapid progression of the condition. It often occurs during physical activity, with the condition reaching a peak in a very short time. Typically, within a short period, this can lead to complete paralysis of limbs on one side, complete loss of speech in some cases, and severe cases may quickly progress into a coma. The development of the condition is quite rapid. Common sources of emboli in cerebral embolism include mural thrombi from the heart and detached plaques from the carotid artery. Carotid artery plaques, especially soft plaques, are prone to detachment, forming emboli that block the cerebral vessels and cause cerebral embolism. Additionally, patients with arrhythmias or atrial fibrillation can easily form mural thrombi on the inner walls of the heart. Once a thrombus detaches, it can block cerebral vessels, leading to cerebral embolism. The affected area in cerebral embolism is relatively large, and the condition is quite severe.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Can cerebral embolism be treated with thrombolysis?

For patients with cerebral embolism, if the onset is not particularly severe and the area of the embolism is not very large, for example, if the patient's consciousness is still clear, then thrombolysis can still be feasible. It is now also relatively advocated because the risk of cerebral hemorrhage is relatively small in such cases. However, if the area of the cerebral embolism is large, especially if the patient has fallen into a coma or other consciousness disorders, and shows conjugate gaze palsy, then the risk of thrombolysis is very high, and there is a very likely risk of conversion to cerebral hemorrhage. In such cases, thrombolysis is not recommended, and arterial thrombectomy can be performed instead, which can greatly save the patient's life and improve the quality of life. Besides thrombolysis and thrombectomy, anticoagulant therapy should also be administered after the condition stabilizes, as most cases of cerebral embolism are caused by atrial fibrillation, and anticoagulant therapy can prevent future attacks.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
1min 1sec home-news-image

symptoms of cerebral embolism

Cerebral embolism generally has a rapid onset and develops quickly, often occurring during physical activity. Within a short period of time, the condition can peak, and patients may experience sudden coma or complete paralysis of one side of the body, as well as aphasia, dementia, and cognitive dysfunction. Overall, the progression of the disease is very fast and can reach a peak in a short time. These patients often have underlying diseases, such as atrial fibrillation, which is a type of arrhythmia. In patients with atrial fibrillation, mural thrombi can form on the inner walls of the heart. These thrombi can detach and, carried by the bloodstream, block cerebral vessels, leading to cerebral embolism. Additionally, some patients have a foundation of arteriosclerosis, particularly in the carotid arteries, which can form plaques, especially soft plaques. When these plaques detach, they can form emboli that block cerebral vessels, causing cerebral embolism.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Is cerebral embolism the same as cerebral infarction?

Brain embolism is a form of cerebral infarction, so essentially, it is also a type of cerebral infarction. Cerebral infarction encompasses a wider range, including cerebral thrombosis, lacunar infarction, watershed infarction, and others. Brain embolism primarily refers to abnormal substances entering the bloodstream, which then enter the arteries of the brain, causing obstruction in these arteries and leading to ischemia and hypoxia of the brain tissue, thus presenting clinical symptoms of cerebral infarction. The onset of the condition in patients is quite severe, rapidly leading to paralysis of limbs and disorders of speech function. In cases of extensive brain embolism, patients may even experience coma and death as serious complications. Most patients with brain embolism have a history of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of mural thrombi, and when these thrombi dislodge, they can cause brain embolism.