Can you have a stroke and not even 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.

What are the signs of a silent stroke?

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

What if I had a stroke and didn't know?

Some people have strokes without realizing it. They're called silent strokes, and they either have no easy-to-recognize symptoms, or you don't remember them. But they do cause permanent damage in your brain. If you've had more than one silent stroke, you may have thinking and memory problems.

Can you feel a silent stroke?

When we think of strokes, we often think of symptoms like slurred speech, numbness, or loss of movement in the face or body. But silent strokes don't show symptoms like these. In fact, silent strokes usually display no symptoms at all.

You Can Have a Stroke and Not Recognize the Signs

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.

How can I test myself for a stroke?

Do old strokes show up on MRI?

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.

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

If a stroke is suspected, a CT scan is usually able to show whether you have had an ischaemic stroke or a haemorrhagic stroke. It's generally quicker than an MRI scan and can mean you're able to receive appropriate treatment sooner.

What happens if a mini stroke goes untreated?

Even if a major stroke is avoided, repeated mini strokes can have a cumulative negative effect on one's brain health and cognitive function. In severe cases, vascular dementia may result from untreated cerebrovascular events.

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).

Can a doctor tell if you had a mini-stroke in the past?

The only way to tell the difference between a ministroke and a stroke is by having a doctor look at an image of your brain with either a CT scan or an MRI scan. If you've had an ischemic stroke, it's likely that it won't show up on a CT scan of your brain for 24 to 48 hours. An MRI scan usually shows a stroke sooner.

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.

Do silent strokes show on MRI?

MRI is best at detecting silent strokes, according to the statement. Its use for brain imaging has gone up dramatically over the years to investigate concerns about memory and cognition, stroke, dizziness, unusual headaches or Parkinson's disease, Gorelick said.

Do silent strokes show up on MRI?

During a silent stroke, an interruption in blood flow destroys areas of cells in a part of the brain that is "silent," meaning that it doesn't control any vital functions. Although the damage will show up on an MRI or CT scan, it's too small to produce any obvious symptoms.

Can a blood test show a mini stroke?

Blood tests for 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).

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.

Can an EKG 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. Such ECG results would be classified as abnormal ECG.

Did I just have a stroke?

Look for these signs and symptoms if you think you or someone you know is having a stroke: Sudden trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying. Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body. Problems seeing in one or both eyes, trouble walking, and a loss of balance.

Is MRI or CT better for stroke?

Doctors should use a diffusion MRI scan to diagnose stroke instead of a CT scan, according to a new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology.

Does 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.

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.

What is a pre stroke?

Pre-strokes or mini strokes are the common terms used to describe a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Unlike a full blown stroke, a TIA only lasts a few minutes and does not cause permanent damage. Nevertheless it is a warning sign that a possible stroke may be coming in the future.

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.

How can I rule out 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.