
The Stroke You Don’t See Coming: Warning Signs, Silent Symptoms, and Why Age Doesn’t Protect You
From RUMC Connections by Meredith Gaskins
May 13, 2026 · 30 min
About this episode
This episode discusses the often overlooked warning signs of strokes, particularly in younger individuals, featuring insights from Dr. Allan Perel.
When most people imagine a stroke, they picture something sudden and dramatic. But the truth is some strokes don’t arrive with obvious warning signs, and some happen silently – causing damage long before a person even realizes what’s happening. Even more surprising? Stroke is no longer just a concern for older adults. We’re seeing more cases in younger, seemingly healthy people – and too often, the early signs are missed or dismissed. At Richmond University Medical Center, patients have access to advanced, rapid-response stroke care, specialized neurology teams, and lifesaving treatments designed to protect the brain when every minute counts. Joining host, Meredith Gaskins, is chief of the department of Neurology and the medical director of RUMC’s stroke center, Dr. Allan Perel. Dr. Perel is also the immediate past president of the New York State Neurological Society. He’s here to help us understand the strokes you don’t see coming – what symptoms people ignore, why age doesn’t always protect us, and what everyone should know to act quickly and protect their brain health. This is a conversation you’ll want to hear – and share.
People in this episode
Host: Meredith Gaskins
Guest: Dr. Allan Perel
Topics covered
- stroke awareness
- silent symptoms
- neurology
- brain health
- younger adults
- warning signs
Keywords
- stroke
- warning signs
- silent symptoms
- neurology
- brain health
- younger adults
- Richmond University Medical Center
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Richmond University Medical Center, New York State Neurological Society
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