Just found out I’ve had a silent mini stroke!

Posted by ginger123 @ginger123, Sep 21, 2024

After a fall, my doctor ordered a CT scan, and an “incidental” find was a silent mini stroke (not TIA) in a small vessel. Age indeterminate, so not sure how long I’ve had it.
I’m scheduled for Carotid artery Doppler, and a coronary artery CT. Doctor put me on .81 aspirin, and awaiting results of scans.
I’m quite concerned that this increases my risk for a large stroke, or more mini strokes. I’ve changed my diet, losing weight, getting cholesterol down (which wasn’t overly high) and watching BP, (which is normal). I’m 73 and otherwise in good health…. I thought!
Have you had similar findings? What have you experienced?
Thank you. I love our Mayo Clinic group.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

@waynen

I understand your concern. I'm not sure what a silent or small stroke is. Two years ago at 78 I had a headache and my wife and I checked all the common stroke symptoms like weakness in muscles, etc. Didn't have any of those symptoms but several days later I had difficulty in remembering words and pronouncing words. Several weeks later I saw my cardiologist and mentioned it. He became very concerned that I had a stroke. My family doctor got his report the same day and met with me the following day and arranged a MRI the same day. Within 2 hours the report showed that I had part of my brain had a clot that basically killed part of my brain. I don't have any conditions that normally generate clots. My cardiologist became concerned about what caused the clot. He's been checking for afib and I have a loop inserted in my chest near my heart checking for afib, but no issues. He also checked my heart to see if I have a hole between the upper chambers of my heart called a Patent Foramen Ovale or PFO. We all have this hole when in our mother's womb to transfer oxygen to our body. After birth the hole is not needed and will close for most people but one forth of people still have the hole. PFO can cause clots. They can close the hole and I met with a specialist and Neurologist but based on my age they decided against it. So, I don't know if I had a small or silent stroke, but it's changed my life. I can't access part of my brain and wonder if another clot will be coming or when it will come and where it will hit. Mayo has a unit that deals with heart and brain connections and causes of clots. I wasn't able to get in and only on a waiting list with over 50 patients. My personal doctors monitor me, but who knows. Best to you both and good health.

Jump to this post

Waynen,
Hello. Best of luck in tracking down your cause(s) of stroke. I've had 2 small strokes ( if there is such a thing) and am interested in the Mayo Special Unit you mentioned. How to get more info? Thank you.
Blessings to all,
OUMike

REPLY

Good luck to you. The Heart Brain Clinic is at the Mayo Rochester health System.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.