Can you have a brain stroke and not know it?

Yes, you can have a stroke and not know it. A stroke's effects can be undetectable if the stroke is small or if the tissue damaged does not serve a critical function. Evidence of the stroke would show on a CT scan or an MRI of the brain, but it might not produce symptoms.

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What are the symptoms of a silent stroke?

Silent strokes may be accompanied by the following:
  • Issues with cognitive skills and ability.
  • Temporary loss of muscle movement (including the bladder)
  • Sudden lack of balance.
  • Rapid change in personality or mood.
  • Problems with speech.
  • Loss of vision, strength, and sensation.
  • Brief fainting.

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How do I know if I had a stroke and didn't know?

If you don't notice any of the major symptoms of stroke – muscle numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or trouble with language; sudden loss of coordination – you might keep an eye out for some of the more subtle signs of a stroke, such as minor balance problems and frequent falls, ...

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What is a silent stroke without symptoms?

A silent stroke refers to a stroke that doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. Most strokes are caused by a clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The blockage prevents blood and oxygen from reaching that area, causing nearby brain cells to die.

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Does silent stroke show up on MRI?

Can an MRI detect silent strokes? Yes, MRI scans can detect silent strokes. Sometimes, a person may not know they have had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack, which doctors may also call a ministroke.

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FCL Thursday May 18th Can You Have a Stroke and Not Know It?

30 related questions found

What is the fastest way to check for a stroke?

If any of these symptoms happen suddenly, you might be witnessing a stroke:
  1. Weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg, usually on just one side.
  2. Difficulty speaking or understanding language.
  3. Decreased or blurred vision in one or both eyes.
  4. Unexplained loss of balance or dizziness.
  5. Severe headache with no known cause.

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What blood tests detect stroke?

There is no blood test that can diagnose a stroke. However, in the hospital, your doctor or nurse may do a series of blood tests to learn the cause of your stroke symptoms: Complete blood count (CBC).

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Can you fully recover from a silent stroke?

A study of middle-aged people with no apparent signs of stroke found that about 10% had brain damage from one. The damage that happens is permanent, but therapy might help stimulate other parts of the brain so you regain abilities that may have weakened.

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What age do people have silent strokes?

Aging: the prevalence of silent stroke rises with increasing age with a prevalence rate of over twenty percent of the elderly increasing to 30%-40% in those over the age of 70.

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How can I test for stroke at home?

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following test:
  1. F—Face: Ask the person to smile. ...
  2. A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. ...
  3. S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. ...
  4. T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.
  5. Note the time when any symptoms first appear.

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Can stress cause a silent stroke?

It's known that stress from work is bad for your health, including causing an increase in your risk for cardiovascular disease, particularly high blood pressure and heart disease. If you've wondered specifically if stress can cause a stroke, too, the answer is unfortunately, yes.

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How do you test if you had a stroke?

A brain CT scan can show if there is bleeding in the brain or damage to the brain cells from a stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves to create pictures of your brain. An MRI may be used instead of—or in addition to—a CT scan to diagnose a stroke.

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How long can a stroke go unnoticed?

Warning signs of an ischemic stroke may be evident as early as seven days before an attack and require urgent treatment to prevent serious damage to the brain, according to a study of stroke patients published in the March 8, 2005 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

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How do doctors treat silent stroke?

If a person has a brain scan and their doctor detects one or multiple silent strokes, they may prescribe medications. For instance, blood thinning medications can help to lower blood pressure, and cholesterol medications can help to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

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Can drinking water help prevent a stroke?

Drink a lot of water: You should drink at least five glasses of water per day, and this will reduce your risk of stroke by 53%, according to a recent study by Loma Linda University.

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Can stress cause a stroke?

Stress can cause the heart to work harder, increase blood pressure, and increase sugar and fat levels in the blood. These things, in turn, can increase the risk of clots forming and travelling to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke.

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At what age stroke is common?

The chance of having a stroke about doubles every 10 years after age 55. Although stroke is common among older adults, many people younger than 65 years also have strokes. In fact, about one in seven strokes occur in adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 49.

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Can you have a stroke while sleeping?

Approximately 14 percent of all strokes occur during sleep, preventing many from getting clot-busting treatment, according to a study published in the May 10, 2011, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

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Do all strokes show up on MRI?

Introduction: An infarct on brain MRI is often seen as gold standard when diagnosing ischemic stroke. Although MRI has high sensitivity in detecting a lesion shortly after ischemic stroke, this rapidly declines when time progresses.

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Can life return to normal after a stroke?

Recovery time after a stroke is different for everyone—it can take weeks, months, or even years. Some people recover fully, but others have long-term or lifelong disabilities.

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Can life be normal after a stroke?

It is possible to live a normal life after a stroke, but you will need to actively participate in your rehab. Brain injuries can affect mobility, swallowing, speech and, therefore, your ability to do the vital tasks of daily living. So, you will need help, support, counselling, encouragement, and loving care.

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Can an ECG detect a stroke?

Can an ECG detect stroke? Yes. ECG can detect a heart problem that might lead to a stroke or even uncover a past problem such as a previous heart attack.

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What are good signs after a stroke?

Here are some of the most common patterns and signs of recovery from stroke:
  • Progress occurring fastest within the first 3 months — but continuing as long as you pursue recovery. ...
  • Independence increasing with the activities of daily living. ...
  • Sleepiness or tiredness could actually be a sign of recovery.

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What is the best way to avoid having a stroke?

Prevent Stroke: What You Can Do
  1. Choose healthy foods and drinks. Choosing healthy meal and snack options can help you prevent stroke. ...
  2. Keep a healthy weight. ...
  3. Get regular physical activity. ...
  4. Don't smoke. ...
  5. Limit alcohol. ...
  6. Check cholesterol. ...
  7. Control blood pressure. ...
  8. Control diabetes.

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