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A stroke is a brain attack that happens when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off.

The facts

• Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke.
• Stroke risk doubles every 10 years after age 55.
• Each minute a stroke remains untreated, two million brain cells die.

As part of National Stroke Awareness Month, Ashish Masih, M.D., a board-certified neurologist with the INTEGRIS Health James R. Daniel Stroke Center, is calling attention to the silent factors that increase a person’s risk for stroke.

“A stroke can strike without warning, altering life in an instant,” Masih says. “While some risk factors such as high blood pressure and smoking are widely recognized, others such as silent brain infarctions, sleep apnea or even chronic stress can be considered silent factors raising your chances of stroke.”

Silent stroke risk factors

The following hidden risks can often go unnoticed, making regular health monitoring essential.

• Silent brain infarctions are small, undetected strokes that don’t cause noticeable symptoms but can be found on an MRI. Even without symptoms, silent brain infarctions can double the risk of a subsequent symptomatic stroke.
• Silent heart attacks occur without noticeable symptoms, such as chest pain. They increase the risk of both blood clots and stroke.
• Microbleeds in the brain are tiny, often undetected hemorrhages in the brain. They signal fragile blood vessels and can pave the way for either ischemic (clot-based) or hemorrhagic (bleeding) strokes, especially in older adults.
• Hormonal changes can occur due to birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy or pregnancy complications like preeclampsia. These changes can make blood more likely to clot or contribute to elevated blood pressure.

Symptoms of a stroke

Masih adds that awareness of the most common signs and symptoms of a stroke is important because immediate treatment can mean the difference between permanent brain damage or disability and making a full recovery.

Check out the BEFASTT acronym to know what to look out for.

The effects of a stroke are different depending on the type of stroke a person suffers, how many brain cells die and where in the brain the stroke occurs. Call 911 right away if you or a loved one experience stroke symptoms. Every second matters.

“The care you receive in the first few moments after a stroke is essential,” Masih says. “Our team is available 24/7 to help stroke patients with a variety of treatment options. We know how much even a second matters when it comes to helping stroke patients and that’s why we are committed to being available to you.”

If you know you're at a higher risk for a stroke – or even if you're unsure – now is the time to reach out to your doctor. They can help you identify your personal risk factors, clarify silent risks you might not be aware of and discuss ways to reduce those risks.