Experts at a global stroke convention are warning that so-called "silent stroke" is more widespread than commonly believed.
Subclinical strokes are very common and are a risk factor for a more significant stroke and dementia, warns Professor Vladimir Hachinski of the University of Western Ontario, Canada.
"Subclinical or silent strokes occur five times as often as clinically obvious strokes, and can affect thinking, mood, and personality," he said. "A recent study found that about ten per cent of apparently healthy middle-aged participants with no symptoms of stroke were affected by silent strokes."
He wants to see "renewed vigour in the treatment of risk factors and commitment to recognise silent strokes". "The earlier we intervene, the more likely we are to be successful," he said.
Also at the World Stroke Congress in Vienna, Austria, president Professor Geoffrey A. Donnan urges stroke experts to "implement proven strategies".
Stroke has become a major challenge for health policy and for medicine, he said, and is now the second most common cause of death globally and the major cause of disability.
Professor Donnan is particularly concerned that there are enough specialised stroke units to provide full coverage for all populations and reduce the "unacceptable burden of disease".
"Efforts need to be made to reduce this burden by implementing the known primary and secondary preventive strategies and improving case fatality," he said. "This should be done through the application of proven interventions, particularly stroke unit management."
He concluded: "At this World Congress, further significant advances will be reported which will give clinicians additional tools with which to reduce the unacceptable burden of disease."
The 6th World Stroke Congress, organised by the World Stroke Organisation, is held in Vienna, Austria, on September 24-27, 2008.
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