HBOT Conversations Ep 8 | Dr. Harch - Stroke

Host Edward di Girolamo speaks with world renowned HBOT expert, Dr. Paul G. Harch about strokes. Dr. Harch explains that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is hands-down the most effective therapy to treat the debilitating after-effects of a stroke.

But what exactly happens during a stroke and how can HBOT help?

We have more blood flow happening in the parts of the brain that are working hard to coordinate the movement of muscles, the formation of words, etc. Dr. Harch refers to this blood flow like the RPMs in a motor, the blood flow revs up and increases as we increase our movement & activity.  However, having a stroke causes a blockage or lowering of blood flow to the brain, which can cause “electrical silence” – when the cells get to a point at about 60% reduction in blood flow where they no longer have enough oxygen (and blood flow, sugar, and fat) to generate electrical signals. These cells do not die, they live in a state of idling.

Dr. Harch explains there was a strong misunderstanding among the medical community that brain cells were either alive or dead after a stroke or injury.  Over the years, HBOT has proven to the medical community that brain cells can just be in an idle/injured state and under the right conditions (like oxygen + pressure) they can be revived to function again.

If you or a loved one has recently experienced a stroke, we encourage you to better understand how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can help wake up a post-stroke brain. We wish you the best as you find hope in HBOT.