Back to the RadioSpace™ home page
NewsDirect story topics:
Consumer, Business & General Interest
Current Events & Public Affairs
Entertainment & Sports
Health & Medicine
On 'World Stroke Day' (Wednesday, October 29th), American Heart Association and American Stroke Association Join International Organizations in Focusing on 'Silent Strokes'
-- How Will You Use This Story? --
During this year's observance of "World Stroke Day"--on Wednesday, October 29th--the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association will join international organizations on a unified message about "silent stroke". This year's theme is "little strokes = big trouble".
"We are just coming to realize that 'silent strokes' are the most-common types of strokes," says Dr. Vladimir Hachinski, first vice-president of the World Federation of Neurology--who spoke at the 6th World Stroke Congress in Vienna, Austria, in late September. Stroke leaders from around the world attended the meeting in order to gain more awareness about "silent stroke"; those leaders are expected to then educate their respective countries about "silent stroke" on "World Stroke Day".
"Silent stroke"--also known as "subclinical stroke"--is a brain injury likely caused by a blood clot interrupting blood flow in the brain. It is "silent" because it has no symptoms; however, doctors can detect brain damage with imaging tests.
The "World Stroke Day 2008" proclamation says that "silent strokes" occur five times as often as other strokes. Though "silent stroke" symptoms are not physically noticeable, potential side effects may affect the areas of thinking, mood/depression, and personality.
"Although 'silent strokes' may not produce the usual warning signs of stroke, they can lead to subtle changes in memory, thinking, and other cognitive effects," Dr. Hachinski says. "People who have a change in their thinking or personality later in life should not dismiss it as a consequence of aging. They should bring these changes to their doctor's attention."
"The vascular risk factors that can lead to a stroke--such as high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, smoking, and physical inactivity--can just as likely lead to a 'silent stroke'," says neurologist Dr. Ralph Sacco, a spokesperson for the American Stroke Association. "Control of these conditions with exercise, the proper diet, and medications can lead to a reduction in both stroke risk and 'silent stroke'."
People who have had a "silent stroke" are at higher risk to have more "silent strokes" and other types of strokes over time, doctors say. They also may develop dementia and exhibit accelerated loss of mental skills.
In the U.S., stroke is the third-leading cause of death--and is a leading cause of severe, long-term disability. Worldwide, stroke is second--to ischemic heart disease--as a cause of death. The American Stroke Association--a division of the American Heart Association--has information for the public on stroke and its risk factors.
For more information about stroke, visit strokeassociation.org or call 1-888-4-STROKE.
