Dr. Ken Uchino, MD,a stroke neurologist at the Cerebrovascular Center at the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic, explains that there are two types of strokes: ischemic and blockage. He explains that 80% of strokes are ischemic, meaning they occur when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked. A blockage stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes completely blocked. In both cases, brain cells die due to lack of oxygen and nutrients.“A silent stroke occurs when brain cells die, but the person does not have obvious symptoms, like slurred speech or paralysis. People often find out they have had a silent stroke when they get a brain scan for another reason,” says Dr. Mill Etienne, MD, an Associate Professor of Neurology at New York Medical College.Related: 'I'm a Brain Scientist, and This 2-Minute Habit Makes Me Feel 10 Times Sharper'
Dr. Etienne adds that brain fog, trouble concentrating and memory problems can also be a sign that someone has experienced a silent stroke. But because these symptoms can be caused by so many other factors, it’s important to get a CT scan or MRI to truly know if a silent stroke occurred.
Are Silent Strokes Dangerous?
If you are experiencing any new symptoms that are leading you to believe you had a silent stroke, all three neurologists say it’s important to see your healthcare provider. If scans show that you did have a silent stroke, the doctors agree that it’s important to change any unhealthy diet and lifestyle habits that are putting you at risk. This includes following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Dr. Etienne says that your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to lower your risk of having another stroke as well.
Whether you’ve had a silent stroke in the past or not, there are ways to lower your risk of ever experiencing one. Dr. Wengui Yu, MD, PhD, a Professor of Clinical Neurology and the Director of the UCI Health Comprehensive Stroke Center, says this includes not using tobacco, minimizing alcohol use, keeping cholesterol in a healthy range, and avoiding diabetes and hypertension by having healthy diet and lifestyle habits in place.
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Sources
Dr. Ken Uchino, MD, stroke neurologist at the Cerebrovascular Center at Neurological Institute at Cleveland ClinicDr. Mill Etienne, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at New York Medical CollegeDr. Jeffrey N. Quinn, MD, vascular neurologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, an affiliate of Cedars Sinai Medical CenterDr. Wengui Yu, MD, PhD, Professor of Clinical Neurology and the Director of the UCI Health Comprehensive Stroke Center Read More Details
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