The 7 Most Common Myths Associated with Strokes

Strokes are a frightening experience because they typically come without warning. There are two types of strokes, both caused by a sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain. The most common stroke is an ischemic stroke and is caused by a sudden blockage of arteries leading to the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused when blood flows into brain tissue after a blood vessel bursts. Strokes are sometimes misrepresented in movies and television, which causes viewers to misunderstand what strokes are and aren’t. Let’s clear the air on 7 of the most common myths associated with strokes.

Stroke Myth #1

Strokes only happen to people who are elderly. Strokes happen to people of all ages. Even children can have strokes. For adults, preexisting conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes can increase the risk of blood clots which lead to strokes. But the largest contributor to strokes is a person’s lifestyle choices. Choices such as smoking, heavy alcohol drinking, consuming a high salt and high trans-fat diet, and lack of exercise are major contributors to increasing your risk for strokes.

It’s true that older people are at greater risk of strokes because they tend to have more chronic diseases including heart disease. But we often see strokes in people in their 50s and 60s, and sometimes even in people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. 

Stroke Myth #2

Strokes are painful. Most strokes aren’t associated with pain because the brain itself doesn’t have pain receptors. However, if bleeding occurs in the brain, that can cause headaches. The increased skull pressure puts additional pressure on the meninges which covers the brain and causes blood vessels to stretch. Since most strokes are ischemic and are caused by blocked arteries to the brain, and since there are no pain receptors in the brain, there’s no pain. However, there are exceptions to every rule.

Thalamic pain syndrome occurs in a part of the brain called the thalamus. The thalamus is a small area of the brain which plays a role in sensation. Usually, a stroke in this area will start with numbness/tingling. But as the numbness/tingling increases so does the pain sensation.

Stroke Myth #3

If someone has minor symptoms or if their stroke symptoms resolve itself, they don’t need to be evaluated. Anyone with symptoms suggestive of a stroke needs to get to the hospital as quickly as possible for evaluation, even if those symptoms go away. It’s important to find out why they had the symptoms and come up with a treatment plan to prevent future strokes. 

Here are some stroke symptoms to look out for and seek evaluation for:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Stroke Myth #4

Strokes can’t be prevented. Strokes can be prevented. It’s important to minimize stroke risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking while also engaging in healthy lifestyle habits like exercise and eating healthy. For anyone who has heart disease or is at risk for blood clots, it’s recommended to take an over-the-counter antiplatelet medication like Aspirin, or a blood thinner daily, to minimize stroke risk.

Stroke Myth #5

All strokes are associated with symptoms. People can have clinically silent strokes, meaning they are completely unaware they are having strokes. Sometimes people can have pictures taken of their brain for an unrelated reason, and neurologists can look at the images and see a history of strokes. The patient will completely deny ever having stroke symptoms because the common stroke symptoms never occurred. Having clinically silent strokes may not seem like a big deal, but the more damage that accumulates in the brain, the more likely someone will develop dementia later on in life.

Most of the time, a stroke is a disorder of negative symptoms. This leads to functions of body parts being taken away. For instance, an individual gets weak, becomes paralyzed, or loses their ability to speak. 

Stroke Myth #6

Only the person who has the stroke is affected by the stroke. Family members are also affected but in a different way. The physical and neurological impacts are with the stroke sufferers. But family members are quickly thrown into the caretaker role to help their loved one(s) with everyday activities. The caretaker may need to cut back their hours at work or even resign from their position, depending on the severity of the stroke. In some cases, an additional caretaker may have to brought in to care for the loved one, while the family members try to continue their own responsibilities.

Being a caretaker is overwhelming and exhausting, and not for everyone. Whether full-time or part-time it’s crucial that family members who become caretakers also take care of themselves. 

Stroke Myth #7

If recovery from a stroke happens, it only takes place within the first few months. The brain is capable of a tremendous amount of healing. The brain has the ability to continue to make new neurons and new connections your entire life. When someone has a stroke in one area of the brain, the entire brain can go into shock for the first 6 weeks. But real healing can take place after the shock has worn off.

The brain is capable of healing weeks, months, and even years after having a stroke. As long as you’re giving the brain what it needs to make new neurons and new connections.