Just as some people experience silent heart attacks with no symptoms, people may experience a silent stroke. In fact, about one-third of elderly people may have had a silent stroke, which often damages their cognitive abilities. A silent stroke is a stroke in which brain damage occurs, but the person does not show any obvious symptoms.

Studies have shown that people who experience silent strokes have twice the risk of developing dementia. In addition to the elderly, other people at higher risk of a silent stroke are those who smoke and those with diabetes and high blood pressure.

Symptoms that do appear can vary according to which type of stroke is present. For example, the symptoms of an embolic stroke tend to hit suddenly, whereas the symptoms of a thrombotic stroke develop more gradually.

The symptoms of both of these types of ischemic strokes may include one or more of the following:

• Blindness in one eye or hearing problems in one ear
• Confusion
• Dizziness or loss of balance/coordination
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the body – the side opposite from where the stroke has occurred
• Seizures
• Severe (and blinding) headache similar to a migraine
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech

A cerebral hemorrhagic stroke tends to produce symptoms that hit suddenly and then continue to worsen. These symptoms include the following:

• Confusion
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Severe headache

A subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke tends to produce similar signs as a cerebral hemorrhage, with the following additional signs:

• Pain upon looking at or into a light
• Painful or stiff neck

If a stroke continues to progress, then coma and/or death could follow. If the symptoms of ischemia are only temporary, then the condition is known as a “mini-stroke” or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is the result of a brief interruption in the blood flow to the brain. It does not cause permanent damage. However, the National Stroke Association estimates that 40 percent of those who have had a mini-stroke are likely to have a major stroke at some point in the future. Therefore, people should seek emergency medical treatment immediately if they experience any symptoms of a stroke, regardless of the degree or duration of the symptoms.

If a stroke or TIA is suspected, you should NOT take aspirin. Aspirin could make a stroke worse. If you’re in doubt about whether you are experiencing a stroke, call your doctor or go to the emergency room. You should not attempt to drive yourself or walk to the emergency room.