Close to 100,000 Britons suffer a stroke each year, the Stroke Association has claimed, and has become a leading cause of death in the UK, taking approximately 38,000 lives annually.
As a result, plenty of campaigners and charities have warned about the key symptoms, raising awareness about the precautionary measures individuals can take to minimise long-term damage.
Similarly, stroke survivor Detra, who goes by @detratosuccess on TikTok, has used her platform on the video-sharing platform to share recovery, awareness and wellness tips with followers.
She has, in particular, pointed to a more niche, less frequently discussed ailment that plagues thousands of 35,000 of those who suffer a stroke.
@detratosuccess/TikTok
|The 'silent' symptoms can often go unnoticed
A “silent stroke”, which can also be referred to as lacunar strokes, affect around 35,000 in the UK annually, which can cause irreparable damage to small blood vessels in the brain - just as regular strokes do.
More often than not, when a person suffers a silent stroke, it often goes unnoticed until after the event, meaning that individuals are less likely to intercept and seek medical attention.
And, like with regular strokes, such action is required as quickly as possible to minimise long-term damage.
But, Detra warned, silent strokes “may only be discovered later with an MRI or CT scan” when it is too late, due to lacking the “dramatic symptoms” associated with a major stroke.
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“They’re not harmless,” the survivor warned, adding that, over time, suffering several silent strokes could culminate in a number of issues, such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating and cognitive decline.
Additionally, it increases the risk of experiencing a major stroke overall, which means, as a result, it is “essential” to monitor for subtle changes such as:
- unexplained memory issues;
- difficulty with balance or walking;
- changes in mood or behaviour;
- and a sense of mental fog.
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|The common causes behind silent strokes can vary
The common causes behind silent strokes range from high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, heart disease as well as a family history of stroke.
Consequently, there are ways to mitigate your risk, such as managing any existing chronic conditions well, or even steps as simple as adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Additionally, Detra encouraged people to go to the doctor for regular check-ups to enhance your overall health assessment.
If you are concerned about any possible symptoms, please seek medical attention as a matter of urgency.