A Gross Case of Lack of Surgical Oversight in PFO Closure

Why is it so difficult to prevent unnecessary medical procedures in the US Healthcare System? This was the subheading of a recent article in the Politics section of the Atlantic on August 13,2021 by Chris Outcalt that caught my eye after a Google alert for stroke and PFO flagged it for me. Image Source: The …

Nutrition, The Gut and Stroke

Link found between gut microbes and stroke New findings from Cleveland Clinic researchers show for the first time that the gut microbiome impacts stroke severity and functional impairment following stroke.  Date:June 16, 2021 Source:Cleveland Clinic Summary: New findings show that the gut microbiome impacts stroke severity and functional impairment following stroke. The results lay the …

What Moved You in May?

May is Stroke Awareness Month Here's Why it Matters to Me David Dansereau I’m always renewed in May.  Not necessarily because the days are longer and the sun a bit brighter and warmer as we emerge back and get out again cautiously from our isolation, but that certainly helps too.  I’m renewed each May 1st …

At The Heart of Stroke Recovery: Movement is The Best Medicine

So why aren't we prescribing it and reimbursing it well? Studies show survivors of stroke benefit from aerobic programs with similar dosing to cardiac rehabilitation and why doing so pays dividends. Movement is medicine and at the same time vital to optimal stroke recovery.  So why don’t we prescribe it and reimburse it this same …

Introducing Our Know Stroke Podcast

Launching in May! Visit Enable4Us.com Here to Help Our Enable4Us and KnowStroke Communities! Here's What We Are Building! We'll be expanding upon the success and outreach of our Next Step Forward Program we launched in May 2000 during the height of the pandemic. Our new podcast goal is to get you caught up on the …

Boston Marathon Legend Dick Hoyt was the definition of Boston Strong

Boston Marathon icon Dick Hoyt passed away this week on Wednesday morning. He was 80 years old and a Boston Marathon favorite. I personally looked forward to seeing he and his son Rick on their journey from Hopkinton to Boston just about every year I’ve been blessed to be up in Boston on Patriot’s Day …

Stroke Survivors and Families Getting Seat at ISC 2021 Table!

For the first time ever, stroke survivors, family members and other advocates with an interest in stroke and brain health are being allowed to have a seat at the table and to join in for select sessions at the 2021 International Stroke Conference happening next week.  This is great news and perhaps one of the …

International Stroke Conference and my Final Rehab Thoughts on 2020

Was the ISC2020 a Good Value for Rehab Professionals ? Note: This post should have followed Takeaway post 1 and post 2 in this series in 2020 but then COVID destroyed that plan along with just about everything else the rest of the year! While I was attending the Rehab Tech Summit this past weekend, this …

We’re all “sick and tired” and Feeling it!

How do you keep your brain resilient during this crazy pandemic? Last month I highlighted the science around COVID and the Brain in this post. Today, I'm following up that article which featured information from Dr. Sanjay Gupta's new book, Keep Sharp on how to further optimize brain health with a few more tips on …

COVID-19 and the Brain

Many stroke survivors are indeed worried about the effects of contracting COVID-19 and the neurological impact on a brain that has already been insulted from a prior stroke. Is this concern warranted? There is so much missing information of how exactly the COVID-19 virus harms the body, but we now know that the impact of …