Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of strokes that occur in your brain are silent: most people do not realize they’re getting hit with one. And most remain blissfully unaware even after the fact.

However, as these strokes slowly accumulate over time, brain power and memory function begin to decline. Amazingly, it is common for people over the age of 55 to have several strokes in their brain and not even realize it.

This scenario plays itself out thousands of times a week across the country:

• A patient comes in to clinic for memory loss, with no history of a stroke. An MRI of the brain is ordered and over 10 strokes are clearly seen. The patient, looking at the neurologist in disbelief and shock, wonders- “How could this be possible?” If it weren’t for the solid proof on the MRI brain pictures, most wouldn’t believe.

Most of these strokes are small, and 1 or 2 of them usually don’t cause too much trouble. When they start to accumulate, however, memory and thinking ability start to steadily decline.

What causes these little strokes to accumulate and eat away at your brain power? Rotting blood vessels that are too clogged and narrowed to allow blood to pass.

The 3 biggest culprits that rot your blood vessels and choke your brain of the oxygen and nutrients that it needs are:

• Cigarette smoking
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes (estimated that 1 in 3 Americans will eventually develop it)

You’ll likely want to read: blood flow relates to brain power and memory

Other Related Posts: High blood pressure and memory loss

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