Silent strokes are more common than most people realize. They affect 8-11 million Americans yearly and are more likely to occur in older adults.
Like ischemic strokes, silent strokes are caused by a blood clot that blocks a brain vessel and prevents oxygenated blood from reaching that area. These clots damage brain cells in areas that don’t control essential functions, so they often go undetected.
Symptoms
Most people don’t realize they have suffered a silent stroke until they are sent for a brain (CT or MRI) scan for another reason, such as headaches, dizziness, memory problems, or Parkinson’s Disease. In these cases, the doctor notices white spots on the brain scan, which indicate areas of damaged tissue from a silent stroke.
Like most cells, the brain must constantly supply oxygen-rich blood to function correctly. When a blood vessel to the brain is clogged, the brain is deprived of its essential nutrition, which results in a stroke. If the blood flow is not restored within a few minutes, brain cells can die, leading to physical and cognitive problems.
Stroke symptoms can be hard to spot, including a slight drooping of the face on one side, trouble thinking clearly or finding words, and clumsiness. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, call for emergency medical help immediately.
Diagnosis
Silent strokes are difficult to diagnose because they don’t produce the same apparent symptoms as a symptomatic stroke. Often, they’re only discovered by chance when a person gets a brain scan for another reason, such as a CT or MRI scan performed for headaches or dizziness.
In a silent stroke, blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, and the cells that depend on it die. A clot can cause a blockage or occur when an artery bursts.
The telltale sign of a silent stroke is small white spots that show up on a brain scan. However, doctors also look for symptoms such as one side of the face drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech.
If you observe any of these indications, discussing them with your physician is advisable. They can check your symptoms and screen you for atrial fibrillation (AFib), which increases your risk of symptomatic stroke and dementia.
Treatment
Whether it’s a silent stroke or a regular one, a doctor needs to determine the cause of the symptoms and treat that cause. Various treatment options are available to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood clots, which may include taking medications such as blood thinners. The primary cause of a silent stroke is typically a blood clot that obstructs a blood vessel in the brain, resulting in reduced oxygen supply and the destruction of brain cells. The clots are usually formed by fatty deposits inside blood vessels, called atherosclerosis. Sometimes, a clot breaks free from the heart and travels to the brain (an embolism).
Sometimes, a silent stroke is discovered when doctors order a CT or MRI scan for another reason, such as headaches, dizziness, memory problems, or Parkinson’s disease. The scan reveals a spot in the brain caused by dead brain cells. These spots increase a person’s risk for future strokes. Treatment for stroke prevention therapy is similar to those used to prevent ischemic stroke. It may include medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol, clots or screening for abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation.
Prevention
Brain cells are susceptible to a lack of blood. They can’t regenerate themselves if they’re deprived of oxygen for too long, which happens when you have a stroke.
A clot blocking an artery prevents blood from getting to the brain, so you don’t usually have the eyebrow-raising symptoms of a typical stroke (like trouble raising one arm or blurred vision). People who experience silent strokes often discover their problem only because they undergo a brain scan for another reason, like a headache or to check for signs of Parkinson’s disease.
People with a silent stroke are much more likely to have another one, so it’s essential to have your risk factors under control. Taking medication for high blood pressure, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, and avoiding smoking can all reduce your risk. Your doctor can help you with prevention.
