A recent poll conducted for the 91探花 (UW) Stroke Center at Harborview reveals that:

• Nearly half of people polled in King County last month could not name the organ of the body affected by stroke.
  
• More than 25 percent did not know to call 911 in case of a stroke.
  
• No single symptom of stroke was recognized by more than one-third of those polled.

Clearly, knowledge about the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability is not as high as it could be.

“Historically, this may have to do with a fatalistic attitude,” says Dr. Kyra Becker, 91探花assistant professor of neurology and co-director of the “But now, for the first time, there is a proven therapy that can vastly improve the outcome after stroke and other potentially useful therapies are being investigated. These drugs/therapies, however, only work if they are administered soon after the onset of a stroke.”

Becker and co-director Dr. David Newell, 91探花associate professor of neurological surgery, and their colleagues will embark on an ambitious campaign this month to educate the people of King County about stroke. Dozens of public stroke screenings will be conducted, informational flyers will be available in area pharmacies, and radio, television and newspaper messages will be seen beginning in May. Harborview is partnering with the American Heart Association and Regence Blue Shield for the campaign.

In the fall, another poll will be conducted to re-evaluate the public’s awareness of stroke.

“We are trying to increase public knowledge about stroke because it can save lives,” Becker explains. “Stroke doesn’t have to be devastating — in some cases it will not even leave a trace — if people know the symptoms and seek prompt medical attention. The message is: Stroke is brain attack. Know the symptoms. Call 911.”

More than 500,000 Americans each year may suddenly experience numbness or muscular weakness, lose the ability to speak, and have difficulty seeing. These frightening symptoms are common to stroke, the number-one cause of adult disability in the United States and at least 150,000 deaths each year.
Stroke is a medical emergency that requires swift action at the first sign of an attack. Despite the fact that prompt treatment can greatly reduce its devastating effects, most Americans are still unfamiliar with the five warning signs of stroke, or brain attack.

These warning signs are detailed in a new flyer, Are You at Risk for Brain Attack? available from the Puget Sound Stroke Alliance, PEMCO Financial Services and PayLess Drug Stores. The simple flyer, which can fit in a purse or wallet, also lists the primary risk factors for brain attack.

The flyers are free to the public at the pharmaceuticals department at PayLess Drug stores in Western Washington. For larger quantities, call the 91探花 Stroke Prevention and Assessment Center at Harborview, (206) 521-1265.