Stroke Sourcebook, 5th Ed.

According to the statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke kills nearly 150,000 of the 860,000 Americans who die of cardiovascular diseases each year—that is 1 in every 19 deaths from all causes. The Southeastern United States has the highest death rates from stroke. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of serious long-term disability. This is disturbing because about 80 percent of strokes are preventable. Every year, about 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke—and about 1 out of 4 of those strokes are recurrent strokes.

Stroke Sourcebook, Fifth Edition provides detailed information about stroke, its causes, and types such as Ischemic, hemorrhagic and recurrent stroke. The risk factors, lifestyle changes, health conditions to control and prevent stroke are also discussed. It also explains the diagnosis and treatment of stroke which includes neurological tests and procedures, medications, surgical procedures and its emerging treatments along with poststroke complications, rehabilitation and life after stroke, a glossary of related terms, and a directory of organizations that provide information to stroke patients and their caregivers.

This book is divided into parts and chapters. Parts focus on broad areas of interest. Chapters are devoted to single topics within a part.

Part 1: Introduction to Stroke identifies the symptoms of stroke, understanding nonmodifiable risk factors for stroke, stroke incidence among children, stroke risk factors unique to women, and discusses the incidence of stroke in men and older adults. It also examines the racial and ethnic stroke disparities and the impact of stroke in different geographic regions. The part concludes with statistical information on stroke in the United States.

Part 2: Types of Stroke discusses the two major types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. It also describes transient ischemic attacks, which are often called mini-strokes, and it addresses concerns about risk factors for recurrent strokes.

Part 3: Stroke Risk Factors and Prevention provides information about conditions that predispose a person to have a stroke, including mini-stroke, hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and sickle cell. It also discusses the role that cerebral atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, blood clotting disorders, carotid artery disease, and sleep apnea play in stroke risk, and it also offers strategies for stroke prevention through healthy living habits.

Part 4: Diagnosis and Treatment of Stroke offer information about the first 24 hours of a stroke, how it is diagnosed, and the neurological diagnostic tests and procedures used to identify a stroke. This part also discusses medications used to treat stroke, surgeries and other procedures used in the treatment of stroke, including treatments that can improve recovering from a stroke, other surgical interventions for stroke prevention and newly emerging treatments for stroke.

Part 5: Poststroke Complications and Rehabilitation discusses the numerous physical complications, cognitive impairment that stroke often causes, and mental health issues. It also provides information about outpatient rehabilitation, rehabilitation facilities, stroke care and management. The part concludes with facts about therapies used to help patients manage their physical complications and cognitive problems.

Part 6: Life after Stroke identifies common concerns of stroke patients and their families for physical needs, a healthier life, becoming more independent, and includes tips for caregivers. It also covers points on respite care, long-term care housing, and stroke support groups. The part also examines financial and legal issues and how to manage advance care planning and end of life care.

Part 7: Additional Help and Information provides a glossary of important terms related to stroke and a directory of organizations that offer information to stroke patients and their families and caregivers.