Can you have a stroke and not realise?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blog.providence.org

What are the signs of a silent stroke?

Silent Stroke Symptoms
  • Sudden lack of balance.
  • Temporary loss of basic muscle movement (bladder included)
  • Slight memory loss.
  • Sudden changes in mood or personality.
  • Issues with cognitive skills and ability.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on vitalheartandvein.com

How do you tell if you've had a mini stroke?

Symptoms
  1. Weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body.
  2. Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others.
  3. Blindness in one or both eyes or double vision.
  4. Vertigo or loss of balance or coordination.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

What happens if a stroke goes undetected?

Silent Doesn't Mean Harmless

The damage caused to the brain can result in significant cognitive decline or even death. It may also lead to vascular dementia. The damage that happens is permanent, but through therapy and healthy habits, stroke survivors may be able to reduce the effects and prevent future strokes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cardio.com

Can you tell if you've ever had a stroke?

Unfortunately, most people don't actually find out they've suffered from a silent stroke until they see a doctor for another condition and are ordered to have an MRI or a CT scan. At that point, their doctor may notice small areas of damage in the brain indicating a silent stroke.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on windsorestatesstcharlesseniorliving.com

You Can Have a Stroke and Not Recognize the Signs

30 related questions found

Can doctors tell if you had a stroke in the past?

Usually, a silent stroke is discovered unexpectedly on a brain CT or brain MRI. These imaging tests can easily distinguish past strokes from recent strokes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellhealth.com

How long can a stroke go untreated?

In fact, ischemic strokes unfold over a period of 10 hours. That means that with every second you wait for treatment, the brain damage gets worse. If a stroke is untreated for the full 10 hours, the brain ages up to 36 years! With every minute you wait, the brain loses two million brain cells.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cbchealth.de

Can you have a stroke and be fine afterwards?

When the clot moves away, the stroke symptoms stop. You might feel like you're fine afterwards, but it's vital to get medical help right away.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on stroke.org.uk

Can a stroke go undetected by MRI?

5 How- ever, earlier studies have shown that MRI may not detect acute strokes in 10-20% of patients. 4-6 Few clinical details of the false-negative cases were provided. Although several aspects of MRI techniques, computer software, and scan interpretations have been improved, false-negative MRI results may still occur.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ahajournals.org

Will a CT scan always show a stroke?

It's important to note that CT scans are not always the final word on whether a stroke has taken place. Strokes may not be seen on a CT scan for several reasons. It can sometimes take several hours for the brain to appear abnormal after the onset of stroke.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nm.org

What can mimic a stroke?

One of the most common stroke mimics is a seizure, which researchers believe account for as many as 20% of all stroke mimics. Other common stroke mimics include migraines, syncope, sepsis, brain tumor and metabolic derangement (low sodium or low blood sugar).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hillcrestmedicalcenter.com

How do they confirm 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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhlbi.nih.gov

How can I test for stroke at home?

How to Spot a Stroke: 5 Sure Signs and 4 Life-Saving Letters
  1. They are common. ...
  2. They are preventable. ...
  3. F = Face — Ask the person to smile. ...
  4. A = Arms — Ask the person to raise both arms. ...
  5. S = Speech — Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. ...
  6. T = Time — If the person failed any part of the test, note the time and get help.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on iowaclinic.com

What does a gradual stroke feel like?

Numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side. Confusion or trouble understanding other people. Difficulty speaking. Trouble seeing with one or both eyes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

What does a stroke feel like in your head?

In addition to the classic stroke symptoms associated with the FAST acronym, around 7-65% of people undergoing a stroke will experience some form of a headache. People describe a stroke-related headache as a very severe headache that comes on within seconds or minutes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on premierneurologycenter.com

How do you test for silent stroke?

If you have a brain CT scan or anMRI, the image will show white spots or lesions where your brain cells have stopped functioning. That's how doctors will know you've had a silent stroke. Other signs are so subtle that they're often mistaken for signs of aging, like: balance problems.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com

Can a neurologist tell if you had a stroke?

Do a neurological exam. This test checks how well your nervous system is working to show whether you have had a stroke. In this exam, the doctor will ask you questions, test your reflexes, and ask you to do simple actions.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on womenshealth.gov

How long will a stroke show up on a CT scan?

Any irregularities or causes for concern show up in a CT scan approximately six to eight hours after the onset of the first signs of a stroke. During a CT scan, the patient may be intravenously injected with dyes, which will highlight any abnormal areas in the scan, giving doctors a clearer view of the head.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on envrad.com

What is the gold standard for diagnosing a stroke?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

An MRI can detect brain tissue damaged by an ischemic stroke and brain hemorrhages. Your doctor may inject a dye into a blood vessel to view the arteries and veins and highlight blood flow (magnetic resonance angiography or magnetic resonance venography).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

Can you be having a stroke for days?

Fast action after stroke symptoms

Stroke symptoms can develop slowly over hours or days. If you have a ministroke, also known as transient ischemic attack (TIA), symptoms are temporary and usually improve within hours. In this case, you may blame sudden symptoms on stress, a migraine, or nerve problems.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com

Will a CT scan show mini strokes?

Tests will be done to rule out a stroke or other disorders that may cause the symptoms: You will likely have a head CT scan or brain MRI. A stroke may show changes on these tests, but TIAs will not. You may have an angiogram, CT angiogram, or MR angiogram to see which blood vessel is blocked or bleeding.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medlineplus.gov

What is the average lifespan after a stroke?

How Does a Stroke Impact Life Expectancy? Despite the likelihood of making a full recovery, life expectancy after stroke incidents can decrease. Unfortunately, researchers have observed a wide range of life expectancy changes in stroke patients, but the average reduction in lifespan is nine and a half years.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on alliancehomecare.com

Does your blood pressure go up with a stroke?

When stroke occurs, the blood pressure (BP) often rises because of various factors, such as psychological stress, pain, elevated intracranial pressure, urinary retention, and hypoxemia.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ahajournals.org

What happens days before a stroke?

Some people will experience symptoms such as headache, numbness or tingling several days before they have a serious stroke. One study found that 43% of stroke patients experienced mini-stroke symptoms up to a week before they had a major stroke.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cardiacscreen.co.uk

How long can you have symptoms of a stroke before it happens?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aan.com