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A silent stroke, like an ischemic stroke, causes a clot that blocks a blood vessel, cutting off blood flow to the nerve cells. However, a silent stroke, unlike an overt stroke, is much more difficult to detect because it causes barely noticeable symptoms. It is also much more common and, similar to overt stroke, leaves permanent damage. Can we recognize it then, and most importantly counteract it? Experts say yes.
- A silent stroke causes little damage that is not obviously symptomatic
- We find out that we have suffered a silent stroke after performing an MRI or computed tomography
- We often confuse the symptoms of a silent stroke with the signs of aging
- To protect yourself from a silent stroke, you need to control your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and lead a healthy lifestyle
- You can find more such stories on the Onet homepage.
What is a silent stroke?
In a typical ischemic stroke, a clot blocks a blood vessel that feeds on a specific area of the brain. Without blood and oxygen, nerve cells can die, causing symptoms that mirror functions controlled by the affected part of the brain.
During a silent stroke, the interruption in the blood supply destroys neurons in the ‘silent’ part of the brain, meaning it does not control vital functions. Although the damage will appear on an MRI or CT scan, it is too small to cause obvious symptoms. Most people who have had a silent stroke have no idea it has happened. Women are more prone to stroke.
– It does not mean, however, that it is irrelevant – says prof. Karen Furie of Harvard Medical School. – A silent stroke can cause subtle signs, such as cognitive impairment.
Symptoms of a silent stroke
While one person experiences an overt stroke, around 14 have a silent stroke. American research has shown that about 10 percent. middle-aged population who did not report signs of a stroke experienced at least one. An estimated one-third of people over the age of 70 have experienced it, and the American Stroke Association reports that one in four people over the age of 80 has had more than one silent stroke.
While the damage to the brain caused by silent stroke is less than that caused by overt stroke, scientists believe it can have a significant and lasting effect on, for example, memory.
Depending on the location of the clot, stroke survivors may experience numbness on one side of their face, weakness in an arm or leg (which may cause a fall), problems with speech, vision, and understanding. The other signs are so subtle that we often mistake them for signs of aging.
Symptoms of a silent stroke to m.in.:
- balance problems,
- frequent falls
- urine leakage
- mood changes
- reduced ability to think.
Or, you may experience a series of silent strokes that result in a so-called multi-infarct dementia (a heart attack is the term for tissue death caused by insufficient blood supply, such as in a heart attack) and memory problems.
How to prevent silent strokes?
According to the American Stroke Association, silent strokes also increase the risk of developing a symptomatic stroke in the future. The question is, if a stroke is asymptomatic, can it be prevented?
– I do not think it would pay off to perform an MRI – says prof. Furies. – However, managing the risk factors is imperative.
A proper diet rich in fruit and vegetables is very important in the prevention of stroke. For this reason, we recommend freeze-dried cherries containing coumarins.
Quiet stroke – risk factors
Here are the risk factors and how to reduce them:
High blood pressure – they need to be checked regularly. Limit your salt intake to less than one teaspoon a day. The American Stroke Association recommends limiting your sodium intake. It’s not just about salt, as up to 70 percent. The sodium in our diet comes from frozen and prepackaged foods.
High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and related atherosclerosis – check its level. Overall cholesterol should be less than 200 mg / dL. HDL cholesterol (“good”) should be 60 mg / dL or higher, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol should be less than 100 mg / dL. Eat less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day and increase the amount of fiber in your diet (ideal is 20-30 g of fiber per day).
Smoking – try to break the habit, smoking more than doubles the risk of stroke.
Diabetes – maintain an adequate level of sugar in the blood.
Obesity – go on a healthy diet, eat at least 1,5 cups of fruit and 2,5 cups of vegetables a day. Limit foods like red meat and sweets. Give up diet drinks. A recent study found that drinking artificially sweetened beverages can increase the risk of both dementia and stroke. Aim for a body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 25.
Sedentary lifestyle – exercise regularly or take a walk. A study published in 2011 in the journal “Neurology” indicates that 30 min. moderate exercise five days a week reduces the likelihood of a silent stroke by up to 40%. If you are physically active, you will also have fewer post-stroke complications.
Drugs that prevent blood clots (such as aspirin) and cholesterol-lowering statins can also reduce the risk of stroke.
If you have signs of memory loss, see your doctor for testing. It is also important to tell him or her about any family history of memory loss and strokes.
Check if you should consult a doctor? Go through the initial medical interview yourself.
The silent stroke and memory
A silent stroke can interrupt the flow of information in the brain. Memory problems may arise, especially if several such strokes have occurred consecutively (which is the most common scenario).
A study published in the medical journal Neurology describes more than 650 people who did not show signs of dementia. The researchers performed an MRI of their brains, and more than 170 participants found small areas of dead tissue caused by a lack of blood supply (known as heart attacks). Only 66 of them reported stroke symptoms. People with brain attacks had memory problems that occurred independently of the hippocampus (the part of the brain responsible for memory) – which is typical of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of age-related memory loss.
Over time, scientists say, damage from silent strokes can accumulate, leading to vascular dementia, also known as multi-infarct dementia.
Symptoms of multi-infarct dementia include:
- problems with memory,
- emotional problems such as laughing or crying at inappropriate times
- changes in the way you walk
- getting lost in well-known places
- trouble making decisions,
- loss of bowel and bladder control
Any silent stroke should be taken seriously. It is recommended, inter alia, screening for atrial fibrillation and arrhythmias, as these conditions contribute to the formation of blood clots.
Can memory weakened by silent strokes be improved?
Yes, we have the potential to improve memory and cognitive abilities. Just follow these steps:
- practicing procedures for performing specific tasks at certain times of the day,
- placing needed items such as medicines and keys in the same place every day
- writing a to-do list and a list of instructions that will help you remember the steps leading to the completion of complex tasks,
- use of a pill box, which makes taking medication easier,
- configuring bill payment orders so that you do not have to remember payment dates,
- plays memory games.
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