Michael Schreyer | July 10, 2025 | Personal Injury
A silent stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain stops briefly, causing damage without obvious symptoms. Unlike major strokes, silent strokes often go unnoticed. Despite this, they can lead to lasting brain injury and raise the risk of future, more serious strokes. Knowing what causes silent strokes and how doctors detect them helps protect your brain health.
How a Silent Stroke Happens
Silent strokes occur when a blood clot or blocked vessel cuts off oxygen to brain tissue. This loss of blood supply damages brain cells but does not trigger typical stroke symptoms. Factors like high blood pressure or clogged arteries can cause this. Even short interruptions in blood flow can leave small scars, called silent brain infarcts. Many people have silent strokes without realizing it.
Several health issues raise the risk. High blood pressure can weaken arteries and increase the chances of blockages. Atherosclerosis, which means clogged or narrowed arteries, can reduce blood flow. Other causes include small blood vessel disease, diabetes, and irregular heartbeats that allow clots to form and travel to the brain.
Who Faces the Highest Risk
Silent strokes happen most often in older adults. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and vascular disease raise the risks. Smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle also increase risk. Family history matters, too. If close relatives have had strokes or heart disease, your risk grows.
Signs After the Stroke Ends
Silent strokes usually do not cause clear symptoms at the time. Many people never notice they had one. Memory issues, challenges with physical coordination, and moodiness could be the first signs someone experiences. Unfortunately, these can often be dismissed as normal signs of aging, even when they aren’t.
How Doctors Detect the Damage
Doctors use MRI or CT scans to find silent strokes. These images reveal small damaged areas even when no symptoms appear. Along with scans, doctors check blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart health to identify risk.
Legal Claims After Silent Strokes
Silent strokes can cause serious, lasting damage that impacts daily life. If negligence contributes to the stroke or worsens its effects, such as a missed diagnosis or medical mistake, those affected may have the right to pursue legal claims.
These claims help cover the costs that come with the injury. Medical expenses can rise quickly because of hospital visits, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. When the injury prevents someone from working as before, lost wages become a major concern. Compensation may also address the pain and emotional hardship that victims face.
A personal injury lawyer can help victims understand their rights and options. A silent stroke can be the result of someone else’s negligence through an injury or medical malpractice. If that happens, you may have legal options to recover compensation.
A personal injury lawsuit may help you recover the costs of medical care and other problems that resulted from your stroke. Before you take legal action, discuss your case with a lawyer. That way, they can take a deeper look at your case, see what your options are, and help you take the next steps.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers in Maryland for Help Today
If you or a loved one has experienced a silent stroke and now face lingering health complications, don’t navigate this challenging time alone. The team at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers understands the emotional, physical, and financial toll that unexpected medical trauma can take. We are here to help.
Our experienced attorneys offer free, no-obligation consultations to listen to your story, evaluate the details of your case, and help you understand your legal rights. Whether your silent stroke was the result of medical negligence, delayed diagnosis, or another form of malpractice, we can help you determine whether you’re entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, long-term care, and pain and suffering.
For more information, please contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a confidential consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Annapolis, and Lexington Park, Maryland.
We proudly serve Charles County, Prince George County its surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Waldorf Office
8 Post Office Rd Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 932-9997
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Lanham Office
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste #200 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 936-0011
Available 24/7