Can You Have a Stroke and Not Know It?

Approximately 800,000 adults in the U.S. experience a stroke every year. But did you know that nearly 8 million people experience a stroke without realizing it?

Keep reading to learn more about silent strokes, including their signs and symptoms, whether you can have one without knowing it, how to detect them and prevention tips.

What Is a Silent Stroke?

Both silent and normal strokes occur when a blood vessel that carries oxygen to the brain becomes blocked or bursts. As a result, part of the brain's blood and oxygen supply is cut off, causing brain cells to die. The two main types of stroke include ischemic and hemorrhagic. A blood clot or blocked arteries cause an ischemic stroke. On the other hand, a hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that ruptures.

Standard strokes usually cause immediate and noticeable symptoms, like facial drooping and arm weakness. However, a silent stroke causes damage to a smaller portion of the brain, which causes them not to have immediate or noticeable symptoms, leaving most unaware that they had one. Although silent strokes don’t cause noticeable symptoms, having one increases your chances of cognitive decline, memory issues and potentially having more severe strokes.

To help you identify the signs and symptoms of a stroke, remember the acronym BE FAST, which stands for:

• Balance: Are you experiencing a loss of balance, headache or dizziness?
• Eyes: Is your vision blurred?
• Face: Does one side of your face droop?
• Arms: Are one or both arms weak? Do you have leg weakness?
• Speech: Is speech slurred or strange? Can you repeat a simple phrase?
• Time: Note the time symptoms started and call 911 immediately

Because a stroke can happen fast and without warning, it’s important to remember this acronym so you can get the prompt care you need.

Can You Have a Silent Stroke and Not Know It?

Because silent strokes don’t cause immediate or noticeable symptoms, most people don’t realize they’ve had one until they receive a brain scan, such as an MRI or CT scan, oftentimes for unrelated reasons.

Silent Stroke Symptoms

Signs of a silent stroke often go unnoticed because they’re attributed to other health conditions or are misinterpreted as a natural part of aging. While silent strokes don’t carry extremely noticeable symptoms, there are a few to be aware of. Common silent stroke symptoms include:

• Brief moments of weakness on one side
• Short episodes of blurred vision or speech difficulties
• Temporary dizziness or lack of balance
• Unexplained memory loss

Silent Stroke Symptoms in Men and Women

While both men and women share common symptoms of stroke, there are subtle differences worth noting. When it comes to signs of a silent stroke in men, they typically experience common stroke symptoms like facial drooping or weakness on one side of the body. But silent strokes may be harder to detect in women because they often present nontraditional symptoms. Signs of a silent stroke in women include:

• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling foggy in the head
• General weakness or fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sudden changes in mood

Part of what makes silent strokes especially dangerous is that most, if not all, of their symptoms can be caused by other illnesses or conditions, leading most to believe it’s something less serious. However, knowing these signs and symptoms is crucial so you can receive a brain scan to determine whether you had a silent stroke.

Silent Stroke Prevention Tips

Although silent strokes can happen to anyone, the good news is that most silent and regular strokes can be prevented through healthy habits and lifestyle modifications. To prevent a stroke, we recommend:

• Eating a balanced diet
• Managing your blood pressure
• Managing your stress
• Monitoring your health through preventive screenings
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Regularly exercising

While we hope that you and your loved ones never experience a stroke, our expert physicians are standing by at your nearest emergency room, ready to provide the care you deserve.

Compassionate Stroke Care at a Moment’s Notice

We know that if you or a loved one experiences a stroke, it can put your life on pause. But rest assured, our expert physicians and dedicated care teams are here to help you heal and reclaim your life after a stroke. Learn more about our stroke care services or other neurological conditions we treat. You’re in good hands with us.