As per the name, silent stroke is completely silent, and survivors are usually unaware of it or can’t remember it.
Some might think of the symptoms like numbness, no movement in the body or face, and slurred speech, but actually, silent strokes don’t hit that loud. Even stroke survivors get to know about it when they visit for a CT scan or MRI in any other case.
So, does it mean it is impossible to know that you got a silent stroke?
Also known as asymptomatic cerebral infarction, it creates slight memory problems, urine leakage, and difficulty in getting around are some of the symptoms of silent stroke. However, most probably, you may get to know about it only with a CT scan and MRI. During these scans, you will see a white spot at the place where the brain stops working.
People often confuse ischemic and silent strokes; however, they both are different with distinct symptoms. In ischemic stroke, blood supply is suddenly cut off from the brain, and lack of oxygen damages brain cells. However, blood supply doesn’t show any visual functions in silent stroke, so you might never know any stroke occurred.
So, should we say it is not dangerous?
Let’s know the risk of silent stroke in the next segment.
The stroke happens in silence that doesn’t mean it’s less dangerous. On the contrary, it probably affects the small area of the brain but intensifies. Studies have shown that one stroke can damage 10% of your brain.
It risks vascular dementia and other issues like inappropriate emotions, decision-making trouble, and bladder control loss.
After several strokes, you might begin to have some trouble, like remembering things and concentrating on issues. Plus, silent stroke increases the risk of another stroke in the future.
Silent stroke- The stroke may be caused due to blood clots in the brain or increased blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol that occur permanent damage.
Symptoms – No symptoms
Ministroke (TIA)- It may cause the same reason as silent stroke-like blood clots and narrowed arteries. TIA lasts less than 24 hours and can lead to bigger strokes in the future. However, its symptoms differentiate it from a silent stroke.
Symptoms- Confusion, dizziness, sudden headache, trouble in walking, and cuts in the field of vision.
Ischemic stroke- It may cause an increase in BP, cholesterol, and diabetes, same as both the stroke and you can only differentiate with the symptoms. Its symptoms last longer than 24 hours.
Symptoms- Arm, leg, or facial weakness, walking trouble, dizziness, walking, and speech difficulties.
Hemorrhagic stroke- It may cause due bleeding in your brain, high blood pressure, drug use, injury, etc. Stroke symptoms last for longer than 24 hours and may resolve in time or be permanent.
Symptoms- Same as Ischemic stroke.
There are no such permanent ways to prevent brain cell damage due to lack of oxygen. But if you have other healthy parts of the brain, they might overtake the functions. These working parts of the brain work in damaged areas, but it affects brain ability as soon as stroke continues.
Nonetheless, you can take care of therapies and prevention.
Silent stroke in the unknown by symptoms but you but some therapies and prevention can help you, here they are:
Therapy-
For complete information or getting these therapies, you can contact a Physical therapist, Speech Pathology therapist, Sociology therapist, and psychology therapist.
Prevention-
Happy World Stroke Day!
This world stroke day, we hope our attempt of knowledge on silent stroke will help you or your loved ones. Moreover, if you have any concerns about silent stroke or are looking for prevention or therapies, our doctors will answer your queries.
Contact us today.