What is "hibernating stroke

Hi Valerie

Thanks for your question – when a brand new stroke term comes up there is always a lot of discussion around our office! We haven’t heard the term ‘hibernating stroke’ but from what you are describing we think it is more commonly known as a silent stroke.

A silent stroke, simply put, is a stroke that goes unnoticed. It doesn’t have any recognisable symptoms or cause any changes that prompt you to seek medical attention.

If you have had silent strokes in the past, you won't know about them until you have a brain scan. Sometimes though, after diagnosis, people realise that they have had some small changes, especially with thinking and memory.

Silent strokes are thought to be quite common. One study of older people with no apparent signs of stroke found that about 10% had brain damage from one.

I found an article from Harvard Health which explains it well, and focuses in on silent strokes and memory: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/could-a-silent-stroke-erode-your-memory

Hopefully we are on the right track with this one. If you could ask your doctor to confirm if they were referring to a silent stroke when they mentioned hibernating stroke and let us know what you find out, that would be great.

Thanks again for your question and all the best for your recovery.

Jude, StrokeLine