Silent brain strokes: What are they? Why do they happen?

Silent brain strokes, unlike normal brain strokes, do not have symptoms. They can go undetected for years. Also known as silent cerebral infarction, silent brain strokes do not have symptoms such as sudden weakness, speech difficulties, or facial drooping. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Raghvendra Ramdasi, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, said, “Despite their subtlety, these strokes can cause significant damage to brain tissue and may lead to cognitive decline or increase the risk of future strokes. Also called small strokes, silent strokes can happen in a section of the brain without causing any outward symptoms. However, having several silent strokes can still raise your risk of having a big stroke and seriously harm your brain.”
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“Silent brain strokes occur when blood flow to a part of the brain is temporarily blocked, leading to tissue death. This can happen due to small blood clots, narrowed blood vessels, or atherosclerosis (buildup of plaque in the arteries). The brain’s ability to compensate for these small injuries can make them go unnoticed, but the cumulative damage can be severe,” added Dr Raghvendra Ramdasi.
While silent brain strokes are usually symptomless, they often present themselves with mild memory loss, cognitive decline, mood shifts and challenges with balancing and coordination.
“While silent brain strokes themselves may not be immediately fatal, they are a red flag. They increase the risk of larger, more debilitating strokes and contribute to the gradual loss of brain function,” explained the Neurosurgeon.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.