According to a new scientific statement by the American Stroke Association, a significant number of stroke survivors develop dementia and cognitive impairment within a year or two of experiencing a stroke. The statement revealed that one-third of all stroke survivors develop dementia within five years, and up to 60% develop memory and thinking problems within a year. The condition of cognitive impairment is often under-reported and underdiagnosed, despite it being a common condition that stroke survivors frequently deal with.
Dr. Nada El Husseini, an associate professor of neurology at Duke University Medical Center, who chaired the writing committee for the statement, said that around 40% of stroke survivors experience mild cognitive impairment that does not meet the diagnostic criteria for dementia. However, this mental difficulty can seriously affect their quality of life.
The symptoms of cognitive impairment can range from mild impairment to dementia and can lead to problems in remembering, thinking, planning, language, and attention, as well as difficulty in working, driving, or living independently.
The statement also noted that cognitive impairment is most common within the first two weeks after a stroke. The mental decline can happen with other conditions associated with a stroke, such as behavioral and personality changes, depression, physical disability, and disruption in sleep. However, the good news is that about 20% of people who experience mild cognitive impairment after a stroke can fully recover their cognitive function within the first six months.
It’s important to note that permanent brain damage can occur within minutes to hours of a stroke, according to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Immediate medical attention is necessary to minimize the impact of a stroke. Recognizing the signs of a stroke may help seek quick medical attention.
These include 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, and sudden severe headache with no known cause.
