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Spring Survey 2012 Results

Recovery

Program: Raising Stroke Awareness: Know the Risk Factors
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Andrew Schorr:

Wow.  We certainly don’t want to get there.  So, Dr. Becker, I’ve heard that the brain can recover.  We’re talking about recovery, but can another part of the brain take over function?  So if we are losing speech or losing movement and unfortunately because of time some portions of the brain died, do we have enough brain tissue that some functions maybe with rehab could be transferred in a way? 

Dr. Becker:

That’s exactly right.  Right now there isn’t good evidence that brain can regenerate itself, but there is a rewiring that seems to occur.  So as you mentioned other parts of the brain can take over for parts that have been damaged, and you can relearn how to use your arm or your leg or to speak by using other parts of the brain that originally weren’t participating in those functions.

Andrew Schorr:

Well, as we take it all together, Dr. Hallam, first of all with your tools that are very new, are you encouraged where things are going that you can do more for people if they can just get to your facility, a right facility that you can really help save? 

Dr. Hallam:

Yes, absolutely.  With proper patient selection, we can’t help everybody, but those that we can help it’s certainly my feeling that we have the opportunity to make a tremendous improvement in their outcome.

Andrew Schorr:

And you’re a research institution too.  Are you working on what’s next? 

Dr. Hallam:

We’re involved in trials to evaluate how well our retrieval systems work.

Andrew Schorr:

Well, I’m glad they’re working as well as they are now.  Dr. Becker, are you encouraged that we can do better? 

Dr. Becker:

Absolutely.  And as I mentioned it’s important that patients recognize their symptoms and get to the hospital, but in the hospital we need to do better.  As we’ve talked about, time is brain, so we need to do everything that we can do to increase the speed at which we deliver these therapies, and I think that’s something that we’ve seen great improvement on over the last years in our own institution.  So I think we’re very encouraged that we can optimize the outcome with these therapies.

Andrew Schorr:

So it’s a partnership.  If we, patients, can recognize the symptoms, dial 911 and get to a certified center such as yours you’re doing your part. 

Dr. Becker:

Exactly.

Andrew Schorr:

Well, I hope we’ve raised the awareness of stroke for people now, and I urge people, do not pass go, dial 911.  If you’ve had one of these transient symptoms it is a warning sign for you.  And it really is, Dr. Becker.  People should not ignore those, right?  It’s not like, oh, it will go away and maybe it will never happen again.  You do need to pay attention. 

Dr. Becker:

Absolutely.  A TIA deserves the same kind of evaluation as a stroke.

Andrew Schorr:

Okay.  Well, we’ve got great care to help you, but, remember, you have to do your part to really pay attention to this.  Dr. Kyra Becker, co-director of the stroke program at the University of Washington, thank you for being with us. 

Dr. Becker:

Thank you.

Andrew Schorr:

Dr. Danial Hallam, neurointerventional radiologist, thank you for also taking us into a tour of the body and all you can do now in the brain.  Thanks so much. 

Dr. Hallam:

My pleasure.

Andrew Schorr:

Well, this is what we do on Patient Power is try to really highlight for you significant health problems, talk about prevention, as we did with stroke.  Do not smoke.  Quit smoking.  Diet, blood pressure, as we said, whether it’s at the pharmacy, at the doctor, every time you go, check your blood pressure and let’s get it down and avoid a stroke even happening.  Thanks to UW Medicine for sponsoring our series of programs.  I’m Andrew Schorr.  Remember, knowledge can be the best medicine of all. 

Please remember the opinions expressed on Patient Power are not necessarily the views of UW Medicine, their staff, or Patient Power sponsors, Patient Power partners or Patient Power. Our discussions are not a substitute for seeking medical advice or care from your own doctor.  Please have this discussion you’re your own doctor, that’s how you’ll get care that’s most appropriate for you.

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