Can you have a stroke and it not show up on CT scan?
Tests will be done to rule out a stroke or other disorders that may cause the symptoms: You will likely have a head CT scan or brain MRI. A stroke may show changes on these tests, but TIAs will not. You may have an angiogram, CT angiogram, or MR angiogram to see which blood vessel is blocked or bleeding.
Can strokes be undetectable?
Yes. You can have a “silent” stroke, or one you’re completely unaware of or can’t remember. When we think of strokes, we often think of symptoms like slurred speech, numbness, or loss of movement in the face or body. But silent strokes don’t show symptoms like these.
What happens if a stroke goes undetected?
Some people have strokes without realizing it. They’re called silent strokes, and they either have no easy-to-recognize symptoms, or you don’t remember them. But they do cause permanent damage in your brain. If you’ve had more than one silent stroke, you may have thinking and memory problems.
Can a stroke be missed on an MRI?
Ischemic stroke on MRI. What is this? “The MRI/MRA will show immediate bleeding and blood vessel blockage but not the severity of the brain tissue damage for 24-48 hours,” says Dr. McQueen. “The percentage of missing a stroke on MRI is low.”
What other conditions can be mistaken for a stroke?
Conditions That Look Like a Stroke
- Seizures.
- Migraine.
- Low or High Blood Sugar.
- Bell’s Palsy.
- Brain Tumors.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Conversion Disorder.
- Sepsis and Other Infections.
When is a stroke not a stroke?
With other conditions like complicated migraines or seizures, weakness may start in one arm and then move to another part of the body, like a leg, with a stroke mimic. If the patient says they have generalized weakness that is not what we typically see with a stroke.
What happens after a silent stroke?
Researchers say that over time, the damage from silent strokes can accumulate, leading to more and more memory problems. “The more brain damage or injury that you have due to these silent strokes, the more difficult it is for the brain to function normally,” Dr. Furie says.
How do you treat a silent stroke?
Depending on the extent of damage, treatment may include thrombolysis, a process used to dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow through the use of medication. It may also be treated with medication only to relieve an underlying condition like high blood pressure (which is a major risk factor for silent strokes).
What are the signs of a silent stroke?
Unlike events such as a heart attack where there could be obvious signs of discomfort or pain, a silent stroke may include the following symptoms:
- Sudden lack of balance.
- Temporary loss of basic muscle movement (bladder included)
- Slight memory loss.
- Sudden changes in mood or personality.
What is a false stroke?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), often referred to as a “ministroke,” occurs when part of the brain experiences a temporary lack of blood flow. This causes stroke-like symptoms that usually resolve within 24 hours.
How do you know it’s not a stroke?
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.