Silent stroke in adults

If a person suddenly begins to behave strangely, inadequately, the first thing to do is to check him for signs of a silent stroke. It can happen, according to experts, with 10% of the population. But recognizing this condition is not easy.

What is a silent stroke

The “silent stroke” got its name for the developmental features. This is an acute violation of blood flow in the cerebral arteries, which, although it forms ischemic zones with the death of nerve cells, does not have those typical signs that are much talked about on TV and written in the media. Most often, it is detected after the fact according to the CT or MRI of the brain.

The consequences of such a stroke are no less dangerous than classic hemorrhage or ischemia, but it is more difficult to recognize this pathology.

Although it is difficult to accurately predict the development of a silent stroke, doctors identify certain risk groups – people who are more likely to have such an event. These include:

• patients suffering from hypertension, especially if they do not feel their high blood pressure;
• people suffering from diabetes for a long time;
• patients who have various cardiac arrhythmias;
• people who have been diagnosed with atherosclerotic lesions in the area of ​​the carotid arteries.

In addition, a number of factors related to daily lifestyle can provoke a silent stroke. It:

• inactivity, lack of physical activity;
• irrational nutrition with an excess of sweet and fatty;
• obesity, especially with the accumulation of extra pounds in the abdomen.

Signs of silent stroke in adults

“Silent” (aka “silent”) stroke is an acute cerebrovascular accident, which, as the name implies, does not entail pronounced and vivid symptoms, says cardiologist Tamaza Gagloshvili. – Therefore, a person or his relatives often may not pay attention and not give due attention to the symptoms.

Signs of a “silent” stroke to look out for:

• sudden onset dizziness;
• problems in terms of movement, severe gait disturbances;
• a sharp decrease in visual acuity;
• sudden onset of strabismus (in one or both eyes);
• loss of intelligibility of speech (blurred, fuzzy);
• the appearance of facial asymmetry (one half is different from the other);
• feeling of numbness, goosebumps, loss of sensation;
• the appearance of a feeling of weakness in the arms or legs.

Treatment of silent stroke in adults

The principles of treatment of ischemic strokes, regardless of how severe their symptoms are, are unchanged. It is necessary to restore blood circulation as soon as possible so that fewer nerve cells die. In addition, you need to prevent relapses.

Diagnostics

Difficulties in identifying a silent stroke – with it there are no typical signs with changes in the face, speech, mobility in one half of the body. Therefore, laboratory tests and instrumental examinations should become key. Blood tests will not show any stroke-specific abnormalities, there may be changes in the coagulation system, elevated levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and a slight change in leukocytes is possible in the general analysis.

CT or MRI can confirm cerebral ischemia, the images will show areas of brain tissue damage, their exact localization and volume.

Modern treatments

Ideally, assistance should be provided in the first 3-5 hours from the onset of a stroke, then complications and consequences can be minimized. Therapy is carried out in intensive care, in specialized hospitals. Until an accurate diagnosis is established, basic therapy is prescribed – they correct the functions of breathing and cardiac detail, conduct constant monitoring of vital signs, inject salts and glucose, insulin to even out blood counts. If there are signs of cerebral edema, diuretics, hormones, oxygen are used.

Anticonvulsants, neuroprotectors, antipsychotic drugs can be used. When an ischemic stroke is accurately determined, blood circulation in the affected artery is restored:

• apply tissue plasminogen activator (clot dissolution);
• remove the thrombus by ultrasound, aspiration under CT control.
• enter heparin, antiaggregants;
• use drugs to dilate blood vessels and normalize blood flow.

In the acute period, complete rest and medical supervision are needed, as the condition improves, rehabilitation measures are prescribed. They are aimed at restoring lost functions, psychocorrection, restoring speech.

Prevention of silent stroke in adults at home

For the prevention of silent stroke, a radical revision of lifestyle is important with the exclusion or minimization of the impact of harmful factors. Observe the following recommendations:

• reduce fat and sweets, salt in the diet;
• eat fresh fruits and vegetables, protein foods;
• do exercises every morning, allocate at least half an hour for activity every day;
• give up bad habits;
• watch your weight, if you need to lose weight, do it under the supervision of a doctor;
• undergo annual examinations with a doctor, take the necessary tests.

Popular questions and answers

We asked cardiologist Tamaz Gagloshvili what complications can be with a silent stroke, when you need to call an ambulance and whether it is possible to be cured by folk methods.