New studies show that some stroke patients suffer a type of short-term memory loss that causes them to forget what happened in the hours and days before and after a stroke. Researchers found that while most stroke victims could recall what was going on when they had their stroke, only about half fully understood the severity of their injuries and an even smaller number were able to recognize any improvement in their condition Such a memory lapse may explain why many stroke victims don't immediately recognize their symptoms or try to get medical help after suffering a stroke.
Strokes are a serious problem.
More than 500,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, just behind coronary heart disease and cancer. Recovering from a stroke takes time and attention to the special medical needs of stroke victims. New research suggests that physicians and family members caring for them need to be on the lookout for signs of depression. Government studies concluded that more than one-fourth of all stroke patients suffer from depression.