Silent Stroke: A Common Problem That Often Goes Undetected

[LoShiNi]

What is a silent stroke and why it has this name?

A stroke is what happens when a blood vessel in the brain suddenly ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke) or gets blocked (ischemic stroke); thus, the blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted.

“Silent stroke” is a term used to describe a stoke that occurs in a part of the brain that doesn’t control vital functions, such as movement or speech. When it happens, people have no symptoms, or the symptoms are so imperceptible that those who are experiencing a cerebral event simply ignore it.

Silent stroke may show no signs but still cause significant damage, which leads to memory problems and eventually dementia. It may also increase the risk of a major ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. And you can have many such strokes and not notice them.

Worrying statistics on silent strokes

Research shows alarming figures: about 12 million strokes occur in the US annually, of which 11 million are silent strokes. They usually go undetected, but the damage caused by silent strokes can be seen on MRI scans or during other imaging tests. A study of middle-aged people with no history of strokes revealed that 10% of these individuals had brain damage characteristic of a stroke.

How can I prevent stroke?

There are measures you can take to reduce your risk of silent stroke and strokes in general. Try the following:


- if you have high blood pressure, manage it properly;


- keep your cholesterol levels within normal limits;


- control your blood sugar, especially if you have diabetes;


- quit smoking;


- try to stay physically active, and if you have any health conditions, ask your doctor which types of exercise are safe for you;


- make your diet healthier by consuming more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and less foods high in fat, sugar, and salt;


- if you have extra weight, shed some of these pounds and try to maintain a healthy weight;


- if notice symptoms, such as dizziness, loss of muscle coordination, confusion, vision problems, and other signs typical of a stroke, let your doctor know about it, even if these signs are mild and infrequent.