The phrase “mild stroke” can be misleading because people who experience one can have serious but sometimes unnoticed disabilities including vision problems and depression, according to new research.
"There is no such thing as a mild stroke," says study co-author Annie Rochette, of the University of Montreal. "These patients face huge challenges in their daily lives."
The work of Rochette and other researchers was released Monday at the Canadian Stroke Congress in Ottawa, according to a Health Day story. The scientists call for new guidelines for treating mild strokes including screening for less obvious problems affecting mental abilities and vision.
In their study of 200 stroke patients, the authors found high rates of insomnia and depression; in fact, almost one-quarter of the study participants were clinically depressed.
Their findings show that for these stroke patients to recover, they must be treated for their depression symptoms including difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and thoughts of suicide.
"People who have had a mild stroke are five times more likely to have a stroke over the next two years than the general population," says Dr. Michael Hill, Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson. "Proper treatment and management of risk factors can help prevent another stroke."
To read the complete Health Day story,Go Here.
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