Stroke Sourcebook, 6th Ed.

According to the statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke kills nearly 150,000 individuals annually among the 860,000 Americans who die of cardiovascular diseases—that is 1 in every 19 deaths from all causes. The Southeastern United States exhibits the highest stroke-related mortality rates. Ranking as the fifth leading cause of death in the country, stroke also stands as the primary contributor to significant, long-term disability. Every year, about 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke—and about 1 in 4 of those strokes are recurrent strokes.

Stroke Sourcebook, Sixth Edition provides detailed information about the stroke, its types, and its occurrence in various demographic groups, including children, women, pregnant women, and men. It explains what recurrent strokes are and presents statistics specific to the United States. Various stroke risk factors such as cerebral palsy (CP), cerebral arteriosclerosis, cerebral aneurysms, encephalitis, and meningitis, atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and sleep apnea are discussed. It also covers the diagnostic methods, medications utilized in stroke treatment, surgical interventions, role of emergency medical services in the early detection of stroke, latest advancements in stroke care and research, management of poststroke complications and rehabilitation, and tips for caregivers of stroke survivors. The book concludes with a glossary of terms related to stroke and a directory of organizations for additional help and information. 

Part 1: Stroke: Know the Basics provides information about stroke, its types, such as transient ischemic attack (TIA), ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke. It delves into how stroke can affect different groups of people, the incidence of recurrent stroke, the influence of geographical factors on stroke, and provides insightful statistics on stroke in the United States.

Part 2: Stroke Risk Factors and Prevention discusses the modifiable, nonmodifiable risk factors along with various other conditions, such as cerebral palsy (CP), cerebral arterioscerosis, meningitis, sleep apnea, and sickle cell disease (SCD) that increase a person’s risk of experiencing a stroke.

Part 3: Diagnosis and Treatment of Stroke offers details on the diagnosis of stroke, emphasizing the role of emergency medical services as the primary line of defense. It further discusses the commonly used medications such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), blood thinners, and statins. It also provides details on the role of neutrophils in the treatment of hemorraghic stroke and explains about the surgical interventions that are used in the prevention of stroke. The part concludes with some advancements in stroke research.

Part 4: Managing Poststroke Complications and Rehabilitation addresses the physical complications and cognitive deficits after stroke. It delves into the mood and emotional alterations that may occur poststroke, as well as explores the realm of poststroke rehabilitation. The rehabilitation process is examined across various dimensions, including motor function, cognitive abilities, speech, and sensory function. It also explores the potential application of deep brain stimulation for recovery from poststroke depression. The importance of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team and the role of rehabilitation facilities are also discussed.

Part 5: Caregiver’s Guide and Life after Stroke provides insights into caring for individuals with diverse needs. It emphasizes ensuring the safety of loved ones by managing medications, promoting healthy eating, and incorporating poststroke exercise, and fall prevention. It addresses fostering independence, navigating financial and legal matters, and recognizing the impact of caregiving on personal well-being. The part also provides information on respite care and support groups, including community services, stroke support groups, and considerations for end-of-life care.

Part 6: Additional Help and Information provides a glossary of terms related to stroke and a directory of organizations that provide information about stroke.