Researchers have discovered that covert or 'silent'
strokes are common in seniors after they have
elective, non-cardiac surgery and double their risk
of cognitive decline one year later. While an overt
stroke causes obvious symptoms, such as weakness in
one-arm or speech problems that last more than a
day, a covert stroke is not obvious except on brain
scans, such as MRI. Each year, approximately 0.5 per
cent of the 50 million people age 65 years or
greater worldwide who have major, non-cardiac
surgery will suffer an overt stroke, but until now
little was known about the incidence or impacts of
silent stroke after surgery. Researcher team found
that one in 14 people over age 65 who had elective,
non-cardiac surgery had a silent stroke, suggesting
that as many as three million people in this age
category globally suffer a covert stroke after
surgery each year. Vascular brain injuries, both
overt and covert, are more frequently being
detected, recognized and prevented through research.
In near future, there will be a meaningful discovery
that will facilitate tackling the issue of cognitive
decline after surgery.
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