Silent Strokes: Low Key but Could Cause Permanent Damage

Did you know that it is very possible to have a stroke and not immediately notice it? Not a myth, this can and does actually happen, making it very important for you to know the signs of a stroke, so that you can stay safe. A stroke is brain damage that is cause by a blood vessel that is being blocked or bleeding that is in the brain, and while these "silent strokes" may not catch your attention, they can cause damage.

A new study conducted found that 11 percent of people who thought they were healthy and in good condition actually had some brain damage from a silent stroke. This kind of stroke is a true stroke, but they don't result in any symptoms that are noticeable. People that have had a silent stroke are at higher risk for subsequent strokes and for a loss of mental skills that is accelerated.

A research team led by Rohit Das, an M.D. from Boston University's School of Medicine, reviewed MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of 2,040 patients that are participating in the Framingham Study, an ongoing study examining the relationship between the risk factors and subsequent cardiovascular events. The MRI scans were reviewed to find evidence of stroke. The average age of the participants was 62 and most were of European ancestry. None of the participants had a history of stroke or had any symptoms of a stroke.

This study also examined whether the people who have had silent strokes had more concentrated levels of cholesterol in their blood and extensive thickening in the carotid arteries, the main arteries that supply blood to the neck and head.

These are the main results from the routine MRI scans:

• Approximately 11% of the participants who showed no apparent signs of stroke had suffered some brain damage from a silent stroke.
• The people that had an irregular heartbeat, also known as atrial fibrillation, were more likely to have suffered from a silent stroke.
• A silent stroke was given a higher chance in the people who suffered from high blood pressure (hypertension).
• An elevated level of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood also was found to significantly increase a person's risk of having a silent stroke.

The researchers say that people need to be aware of the risk factors for a silent stroke, which are usually the same for a regular full-blown stroke.

• High blood pressure
• Older age
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease

The co-author of the study, Sudha Seshadri, said in a news release, "the findings reinforce the need for early detection and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in midlife.... This is especially true since (silent stroke) have been associated with an increased risk of incident and cognitive impairment."

Some of the most common symptoms according to the CDC are:

• Difficulty with being dizzy, loss of coordination or balance, or walking.
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the legs, arm, or face, especially associated with one side.
• A sudden and sever headache with no cause known.
• A quick onset of blurred vision in both or only one eye.
• Trouble with speaking or sudden confusion.

If you would like further information about this study on the silent stroke, you can look in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.