Stroke Center at Harborview campaigns to raise awareness

The UW Stroke Center at Harborview Medical Center is conducting a wide-ranging campaign this month to educate the Seattle-area public about the symptoms and treatment of stroke.

Dozens of public stroke screenings are being conducted, including several at UW Physicians Network neighborhood clinics, informational flyers are available in area pharmacies, and public service announcements about stroke are appearing in the media. Harborview's partners in the campaign are the American Heart Association and Regence Blue Shield.

A recent poll conducted for the Stroke Center revealed that nearly half of people polled in King County could not name the organ of the body (the brain) affected by stroke; more than 25 percent did not know to call 911 in case someone has a stroke; and no single symptom of stroke was recognized by more than one-third of those polled.

Yet stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the nation.

The lack of knowledge may be connected to a history of fatalistic attitudes about stroke, according to Dr. Kyra Becker, assistant professor of neurology and co-director of the Stroke Center.

“But now, for the first time,” she said, “there is a proven therapy that can vastly improve the outcome after stroke and other potentially useful therapies are being investigated.”

These drug and therapies, however, only work if they are administered soon after the onset of a stroke.

“We are trying to increase public knowledge about stroke because it can save lives,” said Dr. David Newell, associate professor of neurological surgery and co-director of the Stroke Center.

“Stroke doesn't have to be devastating—in some cases it will not even leave a trace,” he said, “if people know the symptoms and seek prompt medical attention. The message is: 'Stroke is brain attack. Know the symptoms. Call 911.'”

Free stroke risk assessments will be offered Saturday, June 20, at the Harborview Medical Center Health Fair and Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, at the Central Area Community Festival, held at Garfield Community Center.

Warning signs of stroke (brain attack)

1. Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg

2. Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye

3. Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding

4. Sudden severe headache with no known cause

5. Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden falls, especially with any of the other signs.

¶