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Did you know it is possible to have a stroke and not realize it? Called a “silent” stroke, you may not experience any noticeable symptoms but the stroke will cause brain damage. Many people feel perfectly healthy on a physical level. The problem lies in their decreased ability to think or remember.
According to recent studies, silent strokes are common in people who are over 60, especially if they have high blood pressure.
Recently I wrote a post about high blood pressure and memory problems during middle age. However, the silent strokes experienced by those over sixty are not only linked to memory and thinking problems, but also a possible cause of some forms of dementia. People who have unknowingly had a silent stroke are also at risk of having more strokes of increasingly greater intensity.
Blood pressure and stroke defined
Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls. Arteries are a type of blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body. Our blood pressure goes up and down throughout the day. When it stays up over time, it is called high blood pressure, or hypertension.
A stroke is a sudden rupture or obstruction (as caused by a clot) of a blood vessel of the brain. Many people are not aware they are experiencing a stroke, or they do not recognize the symptoms. Often the symptoms are temporary, and when they go away, the person does not take the symptoms seriously enough to call their doctor.
Here are the signs of a potential stroke according to the American Stroke Association:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or trouble understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, and loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
High blood pressure easily treatable
Because high blood pressure is easily treatable, depending on how high the blood pressure is and if there are other health problems, it is possible no medications will be necessary.
Following these healthy lifestyle changes can help lower your blood pressure:
- Eat well
- Lose weight
- Cut down on salt
- Exercise
- Stop smoking
As always, you should talk to your health care provider if you have any reason to believe you may be at risk of a stroke. Routine check-ups can alert you if your blood pressure is on the rise. If you are over sixty, overweight, inactive, smoke, and eat more salt than you should, you could be at risk for a silent stroke.
Take the necessary steps to protect your health, and you can live a longer life with your memory intact.
You can read more information about silent strokes at the American Stroke Association website.
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