Without blood, cells in that area malfunction and may die, causing symptoms such as numbness or weakness on one side of your face, trouble speaking, difficulty walking, or vision problems, which reflect the functions that were controlled by the affected part of the brain.ĭuring 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. Yet researchers are finding these strokes can have an impact on memory.ĭuring a typical ischemic stroke, a clot blocks a blood vessel that feeds part of the brain. Researchers estimate that more than one-third of people over age 70 have had a silent stroke.Īs seen on this MRI, a silent stroke involves small spots of damage to areas of the brain that are not directly associated with functions such as vision or speech. For every person who has a stroke with symptoms, about 14 others have a silent stroke. Silent strokes are actually far more common than strokes with symptoms. These areas of dead brain cells are smaller than with a traditional stroke and they impact less-functional areas of the brain, but researchers are finding that they can still have a significant and lasting impact on memory.

Termed a 'silent stroke,' it creates areas of damage in the brain.

Yet there is also another type of stroke-one that is far subtler and harder to spot.

If a large number of brain cells die, with them may go some of a person's ability to speak, move, and remember. As part of the brain is starved of its blood supply, cells may die. Without any warning, your mind could be at risk.Ī stroke can be dramatic-and devastating.

After effects of mini stroke