2. Copyright Notice
Copyright © 2012
All Rights Reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or passed on
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning,
or otherwise, except as allowed under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States
Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the Publisher and Author.
This site and all the information here are provided to you for information and education
purposes only. The author, creator and publisher of this guide are not doctors. The
information contained on this site should not be construed as medical advice.
The information presented in this guide is not meant to replace the advice provided by
your physician.
No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales
materials. The information and strategies enclosed may not be suitable for your
situation. You should always consult with a medical health professional when dealing
with any medical condition or program involving your health and wellness. Information
about health cannot be generalized to the population at large. Keep in mind you should
consult with a qualified physician when suffering from any illness. Neither the Publisher
nor Author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages
resulting from use of this guide.
You agree by reading this to indemnify and hold harmless the author, publisher and
owner of this guide and waive all rights with regard to any circumstances negative or
otherwise that arise from use of this book, including emotional or physical distress. The
author, publishers and associated contacts are not medically qualified to treat or provide
advice about specific health conditions. You acknowledge that you take and use all
information as is.
All links are for information purposes only and are not warranted for content, accuracy or
any other implied or explicit purpose. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under
Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written
permission of the Publisher and Author.
2

3. Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - An Introduction To Life After Stroke ................................................. 4
Who This Guide Is For ............................................................................................. 6
How To Use This Guide ........................................................................................... 7
Chapter 2 - Immediate Aftereffects Of Stroke ..................................................... 10
Most Common Effects Following Stroke............................................................... 10
Statistics On Life After Stroke................................................................................ 13
Goal Setting Following A Stroke............................................................................ 14
What We Learned ................................................................................................... 18
Chapter 3 - Rehabilitation ....................................................................................... 19
Your Mental Health ................................................................................................. 19
Treating Physical Symptoms of Stroke ................................................................. 21
Spasticity and Muscle Pain ................................................................................ 22
ITB Therapy ......................................................................................................... 23
Rehabilitation For Communication ........................................................................ 23
General Management Tips For Recovery ............................................................ 25
Individual Approach To Rehabilitation .................................................................. 28
What We Learned ................................................................................................... 30
Chapter 4 - voiding Future Strokes....................................................................... 32
Dietary Changes ..................................................................................................... 32
Recognize Stroke Risk Factors ............................................................................. 33
What We Learned ................................................................................................... 36
Chapter 5 - Friends, Caregivers and Family ....................................................... 37
Finding Support....................................................................................................... 37
Communication and Family Roles ........................................................................ 38
What We Learned ................................................................................................... 40
Chapter 6 - Hope For The Future ........................................................................... 42
Stroke Resources ..................................................................................................... 44
3

4. Chapter 1 - Introduction To Life After Stroke
Congratulations on investing in your health, recovery and ability to find hope in a
tunnel of darkness. A Stroke is a debilitating condition affecting millions of people
every year. A type of cardiovascular illness, a stroke can affect the arteries and
brain. There are many different types of stroke, but most result from a clot that
interferes with the passage of blood to the brain or from a ruptured blood vessel,
causing the same effect.
According to the National Stroke Association, in
conjunction with the American Heart Association,
stroke is the #3 cause of death in the United States
alone, preceded only by heart disease and cancer…
Stroke is unique in the way it affects the quality of life of survivors. While it is a
leading cause of death, there are millions of people that have a stroke and DO
survive. If reading this guide, you may be a survivor, or friend, family member or
caregiver of a survivor. Your goal in reading this guide is likely to find ways to
improve your quality of life.
When it comes to quality of life, physicians and doctors have worked for some
time to contribute to improved living for survivors of stroke. There are many
quality of life studies formally focusing on patient survivors of stroke. Most of
these studies focus on assessing and trying to assess ways to improve the
quality of life patient’s experience following a stroke. Why do we repeat this point
in this paragraph?
Key to hope, key to survival is the ability of a survivor to maintain an adequate
and enjoyable quality of life. Caregivers and family members of stroke survivor’s
must also learn to accept a new life, but one that is worth living. This book will
help guide you in that journey.
4

5. Many of the studies we talk about suggest that survivors of stroke experience
declines in their perceived quality of life resulting from multiple factors, including
impaired functional ability, psychological factors and ability to communicate or
lack of ability to communicate with othersi. One can easily understand this given
the detrimental effects a stroke may have on a person’s ability to communicate
and function.
The quality of life following a stroke is so important to stroke survivor’s recovery,
it is the leading topic and concern of most primary and secondary caregivers.
Due to the nature and side effects of strokes however, many caregivers and
doctors find it difficult to assess the impact stroke has on quality of life because
of physical and functional impairment following stroke, including one’s inability to
speak or sometimes understand what others are trying to relay to them. For this
reason, one of the first focuses of rehabilitation for many survivors is speech and
language rehabilitation.
Many doctors will initially rely on reports given by caregivers or family members
in the early weeks following a stroke to assess a survivor’s recoveryii. These
reports can have a dramatic impact on one’s recovery in the short and the long-
term.
Why is this important? A stroke can be one of the most debilitating events that
occurs on one’s life. For that reason it is important doctors and rehabilitation
experts work to improve the perceived quality of life for survivors and their
caregivers. Many survivors may find their exclusion in decisions regarding their
health frustrating and intolerable. Because stroke often affects one’s ability to
communicate effectively however, this can be a trying circumstance to overcome.
Without hope, many survivors may face rapid decline, little progress and even
suffer from a second stroke, one that may prove fatal.
5

6. Thanks to much effort and advances in modern technology, as well as treatment
protocols and approaches to stroke recovery, survivors are finding they have
more and more say in their journey toward recovery. There are more
opportunities survivors can look forward to, and more choices healthcare
professionals can offer patients looking for hope in light of their disease.
Caregivers are also finding new hope in support avenues and education about
care giving and addressing the needs of stroke survivors.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is a practical approach to understanding strokes, its effects on the
body and effects on survivors and caregivers. The intent of this book is to help
survivors and their family members learn what life may be like following a stroke,
and learn what action steps they can take to improve a stroke survivor’s quality of
life following a stroke.
This guide is purposefully designed in a simple-to-follow manner, so survivors
and caregivers can quickly and easily find answers to pressing questions or
concerns they have about the effects of stroke and its impact on one’s quality of
life.
This book utilizes as little medical slang as possible, making it easy for anyone to
understand and adopt the concepts and tools applied in this book. Written with
the intent to help survivors and their families maximize their potential for
experiencing a full life, “Life After a Stroke” really is in many respects, a healing
tool for patients and family members.
This book does not go into all of the biological factors leading up to and occurring
immediately following a stroke. It does however, include a brief overview of the
immediate effects a stroke has on a survivor, and steps survivors and caregivers
can take to improve the quality of their lives following a stroke.
6

7. Not everyone who experiences a stroke will survive. Those that do suffer a stroke
however, often have a good chance to regain much of their ability to
communicate, function and improve their quality of life. The mission of this book
is to provide survivors and family members with hope, encouragement and
information. Information and education are after all, two of the best tools anyone
can use to overcome any life challenge.
The authors of this book and publisher are not doctors. The information provided
in this guide is meant for informational purposes only. You should always rely on
the expertise and guidance of trained and qualified professionals when assessing
the best course of rehabilitation and treatment for a stroke survivor. If you are
looking for positive encouragement and hope however, as well as valuable
resources in your journey toward recovery, you’ve landed in the right place.
Remember that doctors and rehabilitation experts become a crucial part of your
healthcare and wellness team. What stroke survivors need more importantly than
anything is a group of caring, supporting and educated people to support them
during the challenging road to recovery.
Much of the information gathered for this manual includes insights provided from
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Such
organizations are committed to improving the quality of life of patients
overcoming stroke and many related disorders.
How To Use This Guide
Whether a survivor or caregiver, this guide will provide you with “hope” in your
journey toward healing and recovering. This guide will provide you with valuable
information about the general effects and long-term effects a stroke has on
patients and their families. You will also learn of new treatments on the horizon
that may dramatically improve the lives of patient’s suffering from the side-effects
of a stroke.
7

8. Included in this guide are links to support groups and knowledgeable sources
where survivor’s and caregivers can find even more information about life after a
stroke, and links where they can talk with other survivors and family members or
caregivers of patient’s recovering from stroke.
The more you learn about any health condition, the better equipped you become
to face the challenges that lie ahead. Centuries have proven that the mind has
incredible powers to heal. This book will help you discover how powerful the will
to survive and thrive can be in your journey toward healing.
Use this guidebook as your armor when fighting back against the ill-effects of a
stroke, so you and/or your loved one can go on to lead the quality of life you
deserve following any debilitating illness.
Many doctors and patients alike agree that “not knowing” is one of the biggest
impedances toward greater health. You will avoid this problem however, by
reviewing the information in this guide and learning as much as you can about
recovering from stroke and improving the quality of your life.
Use this guide to learn as much as you can about stroke and the effects stroke
has on a survivor’s body during the recovery process. Knowledge will make you
feel stronger and more powerful, providing you the impetus you need to conquer
your fears and overcome anything.
“Believe and you will receive the inspiration
you need to show courage in the face of
hardship and inspire others to do the same…”
8

9. This book will encourage stroke survivors to think of their lives in terms of
practical abilities rather than disabilities. Everyone has the power and ability in us
to regain a positive outlook on life, from which we may draw strength in the face
of adversity.
Keep saying, “Yes, I can!” and eventually you will create a positive outlook on
your life and hasten your recovery. Everyone at some point in their life will face
some disability, or inability to accomplish or do things in a way they perceive as
“normal” or “ideal.” This book will encourage you to view life practically, but also
to look past any physical or emotional limitations you may have so you can live
life to the fullest and truly learn to enjoy your quality of life, whether a survivor of
a stroke, caregiver or other loved one.
So let us now begin our journey by first reviewing some of the more common
effects survivors experience following a stroke. Please keep in mind that many
patients will experience more dramatic recovery and results depending on the
severity of their stroke and the parts of the brain and body affected by the stroke.
Once a patient captures or maintains the ability to communicate and understand
effectively however, their potential for success is limitless. Remember this as you
begin your journey toward better understanding life after stroke.
Apply the principles in this guide to everyday life, and find out how, even in
the face of adversity, life can become a truly intriguing place to live, filled with
potential and the ability to recover from almost anything. IF that is, you are willing
to put your faith in your recovery, and your ability to help yourself and others
during the recovery process.
Success may not happen overnight, but it will happen if you commit to your life,
your quality of life, and your right to enjoy life to the fullest extent possible. Let’s
begin by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the immediate effects stroke
has on one’s life.
9

10. Chapter 2 - Immediate Aftereffects Of A
Stroke
“The only way around is through…”
- Robert Frost
Robert Frost had it right. You can’t simply walk around a stroke to survive. You
can’t tiptoe around it. If you suffer from a stroke, you have to learn to walk
through your disability to recovery to the best extent possible. To walk through,
you must learn what to expect following a stroke.
To understand what life is like after a stroke, it helps to first understand what the
more common immediate effects are of a stroke. The effects of a stroke will vary
from person to person, depending on the severity of their stroke, and their overall
health and ability to heal.
Remember just as each patient will suffer differing effects, each will also recover
differently. The faster you understand this, the more accepting you will find you
are of your condition and ability to overcome common challenges. It is also
helpful for friends, family and caregivers to understand what you are going
through following a stroke. By providing them this information, they will have a
better understanding of how to help you and better empathize with your situation.
Most Common Effects Following A Stroke
Many organizations, including the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke (also called the NIN) and the American Stroke Association, agree that
some effects are common among most stroke victims. These effects are listed
below.
10

11. Paralysis that may affect a part of the body (like an arm or a leg) or a
whole side of the body, including the face. This paralysis may be
permanent, though some patients recover full or partial mobility in parts of
the body affected by stroke.
Weakness in part of the body, on the whole side of a body or in a limb.
Sometimes physical therapists can help strengthen the body through
specific treatments to help reduce the effects weakness has on one’s
quality of life.
Painful spasms and stiffness of the muscles, or frequent aching and
twitching of these muscles. This is one of the most difficult long-term
effects of stroke many patients must overcome.
Difficulty speaking or enunciating or difficulty understanding speech. For
example, a patient may know what the right words are and want to
communicate, but may not have the ability to do so vocally or in writing.
Transient or constant feelings of numbness, tingling or pain in different
locations throughout the body. A survivor may experience this for a short
time, or for years following their stroke.
Difficulty swallowing or eating. Sometimes this can lead to fatal
circumstances including malnutrition. Often doctors will try to address this
by providing an alternative source of nutrition if there is a good chance for
recovery.
Urinary or bowel incontinence. This may be transient or permanent.
11

12. Emotional distress, including anxiety and depression. This will often
manifest immediately following a stroke, and may also manifest among
people caring for a stroke survivor. It is important doctors treat depression
and anxiety as well as the physical side-effects stroke has on a survivor.
Excessive fatigue. This can result from the constant tightening of muscles
in the body, or attempts at healing and recovery.
Difficulty balancing, which may lead to trouble walking or falls (which can
lead to further injury). Physical therapy is a commonly used approach to
address this side-effect of stroke.
A condition called “claw toe” where the toe curls resulting from muscle
imbalances in the body. This condition may become permanent or difficult
to recover from.
Constant pain throughout the body, which can be difficult to address or
understand. A patient may not have the ability to vocalize or articulate
their pain in the early weeks following stroke, so efforts should be made to
ascertain a survivor’s level of pain and establish appropriate treatments to
reduce discomfort.
Fine motor skill deterioration, to the point where one may have trouble
picking up small (or even larger) items. These effects can sometimes be
reduced through routine rehabilitation and therapy, but may take some
time to recover from.
Limited ability to communicate because of damage to learning centers or
communication centers of the brain. Some patients may permanently lose
the ability to learn new information or communicate at varying levels of
complexity.
12

13. Sensation that noises and actions are overwhelming, which can lead to
greater depression or anxiety. Doctors may treat this with various
medications to try to improve a survivor’s comfort and ability to heal.
Again, it is important to note that not everyone will experience all of the effects
listed above. The extent to which a survivor experiences effects of stroke depend
largely on the severity of their stroke, their genetics, their individual health status
and other important factors.
Statistics On Life After A Stroke
The symptoms and effects of stroke listed in the previous section do not affect all
people the same. Remember that some people, as much as 10 percent of all
patients will experience a full or almost full recovery following a minor strokeiii.
Still others will experience moderate to serious impairment that lasts indefinitely,
up to 40 percent according to the NIN. There is behavioral, physical and
emotional rehabilitation however, that can help patients and caregivers cope with
these effects. We will talk more about rehabilitation in the next section.
Roughly one quarter of stroke victims will experience minor problems, which may
include muscle weakness or some speech difficulty. Some people are affected so
severely they may need long-term care in a designated facility.
The NIN reports roughly 15 percent of patients may die from stroke, or be at risk
for a second or third stroke, which is why prevention of recurrent strokes is very
important. Rehabilitation will depend on many factors, including how severe the
stroke is and what areas of the body are affected. The more damage to the brain,
the more likely an individual is to suffer from physical and communication or
behavioral symptoms.
13

14. Goal Setting Following A Stroke
Everyday people set goals for their life. These goals may focus on their desired
career path, their desire to change something about their health, their desire to
learn… the list goes on. Following a stroke, caregivers and stroke patients may
find it helpful to set goals for recovery and rehabilitation. Their goals may also
center on improving their quality of life or regaining function in certain areas of
the body damaged by the stroke.
If a full recovery is not possible, the first goal a caregiver should have is making
this clear to the patient, so no false hopes are set. All goals set should be
realistic based on the patient’s illness and potential for recovery.
The primary and most important goal a patient should have is to live the best
quality of life they can, and live as independently as they can. Goal setting may
also include deciding on the best type of treatment and rehabilitation plan for a
patient, and follow through to make sure a stroke victim receives the care and
loving support he or she deserves.
If you are working with a loved one to establish goals for recovery, here are some
great suggestions to help get you started in the right direction:
1. To be as independent as possible. Many patients suffering milder strokes
will find they feel eager to regain full independence as soon as they are
comfortable and able.
2. To live a life as full as possible given one’s abilities and limitations
following a stroke. If one experiences a severe stroke, they may have to
reevaluate their definition of a full life and find new ways to enjoy life given
the changes their body experienced resulting from the stroke.
14

15. 3. To learn how to live life in a new and interesting way, despite the effects a
stroke has on one’s physical or emotional body. This goal is also helpful
for caregivers and supportive friends and family members.
4. To support caregivers in a manner that allows them to offer well-informed,
guided and supportive care for themselves and their loved one.
5. To learn how a stroke affects a person individually, so a survivor can set
realistic expectations for recovery. A healthcare professional should work
closely with a stroke survivor when setting realistic goals. If it is clear a
survivor will have a permanent disability in some part of the body, but may
be able to regain near to full function in another, it is important this
information is shared with the patient so realistic goal setting can occur.
Hope
Having and maintaining HOPE after a stroke may seem impossible
at first, especially if a survivor is struggling to communicate.
However, HOPE is one of the most important factors in one’s ability
to overcome stroke and the effects it has on the body.
Many people assume that following a stroke, one’s life is damaged
forever in a negative way. While a stroke may have many
debilitating effects on one’s body, patient’s who maintain an
optimistic outlook are much more likely to experience a positive
quality of life following their illness than those that feel “hopeless.”
To establish and maintain hope, all people working with a stroke
survivor should feel comfortable being honest about their
15

16. expectations of one’s recovery, but also remain optimistic and
HOPE for the best.
There are incredible stories throughout life of patient’s recovering
from seemingly devastating or life-threatening illnesses. Stories of
patients that lived and enjoyed a better quality of life even if at one
point during their life they experienced near-death.
Consider for example, the case of Lance Armstrong. Lance
Armstrong is a well-known personality. But, in case you didn’t
know, here is his story. Armstrong is one of the best known bicycle
racers of all time. He won the Sports Illustrated and Associated
Press’ Sportsman and Athlete of the Year respectively in 2002.
Interestingly, just a few years prior, a doctor diagnosed Armstrong
with testicular cancer, which rapidly metastasized, or spread
throughout his body, including to his lungs and his brain. Most
doctors predicted Lance had a 60 percent or less chance to
survive, much less recover fully.
One year following his diagnosis however, Armstrong’s doctor’s
claimed he had fully recovered, and conquered cancer. Armstrong
has gone on to live a very full and rewarding life, and to inspire
others to do the same, by having hope and faith.
Since this time he has gone on to win the Tour de France a record
7 straight times. While Armstrong isn’t a stroke survivor, he is a
model of how powerful the mind can be when facing recovery from
a life-changing or debilitating condition.
16

17. The more in control you become of your disease or illness, the
better able you will be to tap into your ability to heal, survive and
conquer.
The key to a stroke survivor’s ability to recover well includes their
ability to look past the damaging effects a stroke has on their body,
and instead focus on their ability to regain their self-esteem about
their new body, their new image and life’s new potential and
possibilities.
There are as many amazing survival tales of patients with stroke as
there are patients overcoming diseases like cancer. To help inspire
you and give you hope, read about some:
strokecenter.org/pat/survivors.htm
stroke.lotsahelpinghands.com
www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp
www.strokecenter.org
Hope is available to anyone willing to reach out and embrace a new way of
thinking about their life and a new way to approaching life.
If you invest in hope, you will find those around you also become more optimistic
and that creates positive energy, energy you need to recover to the best of our
ability and feel as good as you can.
17

18. What We Learned
Ever person experiencing a stroke will experience different physical, emotional
and psychological effects. These effects may be minimized depending on the
severity of the stroke, one’s willingness to overcome any physical damages to
their body and one’s commitment to rehabilitation.
Recognizing the effects of a stroke is the first step on one’s journey toward
recovery. Another step is goal setting. Through active and reflective goal setting,
a patient and his or her caregivers can dramatically improve the quality of life
experienced by patients of stroke. In the next section, we will talk more about
rehabilitation and how rehabilitation affects the wellness and quality of life of
stroke victims.
18

19. Chapter 3 - Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is an important part of recovery for stroke victims. Some patients
will endure a lengthy hospital stay before they fully recover from their stroke. Life
following a stroke may prove very challenging for the stroke survivor and the
family members of those affected by the stroke. Rehabilitation may start in a
hospital, and continue on an out-patient basis for the duration of one’s life.
Rehabilitation focuses on many different effects of a stroke, including the mental
and emotional effects, the physical effects and any neurological effects. Some of
the more challenging effects rehabilitation focuses on include communication
difficulties.
One of the most challenging side effects of a stroke is spasticity, where a
survivor experiences uncontrolled muscle tightness resulting in pain and muscle
cramping in the body. The good news is as a stroke survivor you can learn to
control this side-effect and regain much of your normal muscle control with time
and proper rehabilitation.
Your Mental Health
Rehabilitation starts in the mind. If you prepare yourself for recovery, and know
what to expect during recovery, you will dramatically improve the results. I once
worked in a physical therapists office as a young adult. A woman used to come in
regularly for physical therapy. She had a very severe stroke that left her with
much spasticity, pain, inability to talk clearly and an inability to walk.
Being so young, I thought the entire experience must be horrible to endure. The
funny thing was, this remarkable woman was usually the most upbeat person we
saw at the clinic. She was always trying to make us laugh, she laughed when she
couldn’t do something, and she laughed when things went awry.
19

20. Sure there were times during her rehabilitation she got frustrated, and had a right
to. Every now and again she felt too tired to practice. But nine times out of ten in
her mind she knew what she wanted and was happy. And this joy was infectious.
And her physical therapists always commented on how quickly she made
progress, despite the severity of her condition.
To succeed in rehabilitation, you have to prepare your mind. You may have to
endure a lot of hard work, and the road ahead may first appear gloomy. But
remember, every step you take in rehabilitation is one towards a happier, more
content and improved quality of life.
Rehabilitation And The Mind
Many people fail to acknowledge the impact the mind has on one’s
ability to heal. The mind is one of the most powerful structures in
the body. Even when damaged physically, the brain has the
capacity to restore itself in remarkable ways.
To prepare for rehabilitation, whether a survivor or caregiver,
cherished friend or loved one, a person must first begin by
addressing their mind.
They must look at all the thoughts they have about their “disability”
and transform them into thinking patterns that center on their
“ability” to overcome stressful obstacles and physical limitations.
Life is challenging, especially for those surviving stroke. However,
with the right mindset, a survivor is more likely to confront any
challenges associated with a stroke head on.
20

21. Prepare your mind by thinking positively. Spend some time
visualizing the journey toward recovery. Imagine what your life
might be like if you were able to communicate clearly. Imagine
yourself walking. Even if you do not know exactly how you will get
there, the mere power of thinking can help you overcome obstacles
to your success and help you achieve greatness in the face of
adversity.
Your life may never be the same as it was before your stroke, but you can learn
to enjoy life in new and different ways. Much of it has to do with the mental
conditioning you do ahead of time. Sometimes therapy and counseling can help
you overcome the feelings of loss and grief you experience following a stroke. A
trained counselor, one familiar with working with stroke survivors, can help you
overcome the limitations you now perceive in your life as a stroke survivor. They
can also help you affirm your ability to improve the quality of your life through
education and proper treatment.
Treating Physical Symptoms of A Stroke
There are many rehabilitation programs and physical treatments available for
stroke survivors. Many of these target specific difficulties stroke survivors
experience following their stroke. For example, speech and language therapists
may work with a stroke survivor to help them learn to communicate clearly with
others.
A physical therapist may work with a stroke survivor to help restore some control
of muscle spasticity and function. Let’s look at some specific physical treatments
for some of the more common symptoms and side effects of stroke.
21

22. Spasticity and Muscle Pain
Spasticity and muscle pain or uncontrollable movements of the limbs, arms and
muscles is a common effect following a stroke. There are various treatment
choices available to patients who engage in rehabilitations. Spasticity typically
results from an injury to the patient’s brain that prevents them from tightening and
relaxing their muscles properly.
This condition specifically is one of the more challenging side-effects for stroke
patients to overcome. It is also one side-effect of strokes that modern science
has created new and innovated rehabilitative treatments for, to improve the
quality of life of patients following a stroke.
Examples of this condition may include the inability to unclench one’s hand, or
someone experiencing abnormal postures or difficulty walking because their legs
tighten and cross one another or spasm. With time, this condition may cause
pain because the muscles are in constant motion.
Traditionally, many doctors offer patients oral medications that help relax the
muscles so pain becomes less of a problem in stroke survivors. Examples may
include Zanaflex or Diazapam. The problem with these medications is for many
patients they often bring on lethargy or fatigue. With time in some patients these
side effects may dissipate iv.
Doctors often use these medications to treat generalized spasticity, where
multiple muscles in the body are affected. For some patients, they will experience
more localized spasticity, meaning a tightening of the muscles in specific areas of
the body, as in the limbs. There are new treatments available that can help
reduce this problem in patients.
Many doctors, for example, now prescribe Botox for patients who experience
spasticity in small, localized areasv. A doctor may inject this substance into the
22

23. muscle offering relief for extended periods of time, though this practice is not
widely accepted yet as a “traditional” treatment alternative for stroke patients.
Still, new treatments like this are often offered to patients with other conditions
including migraines. One of the reasons Botox helps is because it acts to relax
the muscles in the area surrounding the injection sight. This can lead to reduced
spasticity.
ITB Therapy
Other treatment choices for patients with generalized muscle tightening include a
treatment called ITB therapy (short for intrathecal baclofen therapy). Using this
treatment, a doctor implants a pump under a survivor’s skin connected to an area
surrounding the patient’s spinal cord. This pump allows delivery of continuous
medication to the patient’s body, thus relieving muscle tightening in larger areas
for extended periods of time.
Many doctors see dramatic results using this treatment. The best part about this
treatment is the doctor or patient can control the amount of medication needed
and the time the medication is delivered in the system to achieve optimal results.
Baclofen isn’t a new medication in itself. Many doctors prescribe this medication
to stroke patients orally. The benefits of using a pump to deliver medication
include reduced sedation and less need for high dosing. Patients using ITB
therapy generally experience better results using less medicationvi.
Rehabilitation For Communication
Another debilitating side-effect of a stroke is the impact it has on one’s ability to
communicate well. Many times a patient experiencing a stroke is unable to
communicate because they have difficulty finding the right words to use to
express their thoughts.
23

24. Their brains may also have some difficulty interpreting information, leading to
confusion and frustration. Fortunately, there are treatments that also improve the
quality of life for stroke patients by helping patients recover much of their ability
to communicate with others and understand others with relative ease.
Many times the most difficult problem for a patient to face is knowing what they
need to say but not being able to tap into the areas of the brain that hold the right
information or “words” they need to express their thoughts. Some physician’s
refer to this trouble as a language problem, while other patients have articulation
problems. These doctors more commonly refer to it as “motor” problems, where a
patient can access the words they want to say, but have difficulty speaking
clearly.
Most doctors begin speech and language rehabilitation very shortly following a
stroke, so a patient has the ability to regain some control over their life and their
communication immediately. This often is among the primary concerns of
patients, and can lead to better communication and understanding between the
survivor and caregiver in the months and weeks to follow.
For some patients improvement in language and communication develops
slowly, while others realize much quicker recovery. Remember, every patient is
different as is every patient’s experience of a stroke.
One of the goals of language and speech therapy is to establish goals with the
patient that are realistic, so a patient can know what to expect two, six, twelve
months down the road and beyond. Some patients may experience gradual
improvements over a matter of years.
The good news is most patients will also experience some recovery in the first
few weeks and months following rehabilitation.
24

25. General Management Tips For Recovery
Much of rehabilitation for stroke patients focuses not simply on reducing pain and
discomfort and restoring speech and mobility, but more importantly preventing
future strokes from happening. In the next section we talk comprehensively about
active steps stroke survivors can take to help reduce their risk for a second
stroke following the first.
Some other problems that place stroke survivors under risk following a stroke
include vii:
Increased risk for deep vein thrombosis, a condition where blood clots
form in the deep veins of the body, which, if left untreated, may be fatal.
Treatment and rehabilitation objectives will include encouraging mobility
and movement in the legs and muscles to reduce the risk for clotting.
Some doctors may also recommend blood thinning agents to help reduce
coagulation of blood or pooling of blood which may contribute to this
condition.
A pulmonary embolism, where a blood clot forms and then dislodges from
its location (usually in the leg or another limb) and lodges in the lung. This
is a severe complication that may lead again to fatality.
Pneumonia due to decreasing immune function and added stress placed
on the respiratory system.
Additional heart or cardiovascular complications.
Urinary tract or kidney infections associated with decreased ability or
muscle spasticity in the pelvic area.
25

26. Fortunately, rehabilitation specialists engage in a wide array of tools and
techniques to help alleviate and control a survivor’s risk factor for these effects
following a stroke. Such actions can dramatically improve their odds of survival
and their perceived quality of life.
Is Everyone A Candidate For Rehabilitation?
Not everyone is a candidate for all the rehabilitation programs
available to stroke survivors. Caregivers and survivors will work
closely with trained specialists to assess their suitability for certain
procedures.
How do you know if you are well-suited to a procedure? There are
many elements or factors a healthcare team looks at and reviews
when considering rehabilitation treatment choices.
With time and recovery, as well as individual response to
rehabilitation, these treatment choices may change. Some common
considerations when evaluating a patient’s candidacy for rehabilitation
include:
1. How severe a patient’s stroke is; intense or vigorous training and
rehabilitation is not often an option or feasible choice for patients
experiencing severe strokes. In this case, the patients may be a
candidate for in-house care at an appropriate facility.
2. How mild a stroke is; patients with mild strokes often realize the
quickest and most startling recovery and improvements in quality
of life by taking advantage of rehabilitation alternatives.
26

27. 3. Whether a survivor can sit up, understand and become aware of
their surroundings. When a patient is able to do this, they are
better prepared for more rigorous rehabilitation and will likely
experience more positive results.
4. The extent of spasticity. While a patient may not enjoy these tight
constrictions of the muscles in the body, often muscle spasticity is
a sign that live nerve ability still exists in the body, improving one’s
odds for effective responses from rigorous intervention and
rehabilitation.
5. Patient’s recovery within the first week or two following a stroke.
Those patients and survivors that can start moving appendages or
limbs in the short weeks following their stroke are good candidates
for intensive rehabilitation.
6. An active and willing support structure that may include loved ones
and family members.
Some patients, including those with certain complications from a
stroke are less likely to benefit from traditional rehabilitation. For
example, many patients experience an increased risk for mortality
because they lose their ability to swallow resulting from a stroke, a
side-effect that may lead to malnutrition.
Other patients, including those experiencing severe seizures
consistently following their stroke, may not represent good candidates
for positive outcomes following even strict rehabilitation.
27

28. Individual Approach To Rehabilitation
Stroke survivors and family members working with their loved ones should
recognize that each doctor and rehabilitation specialist will take an
individualized approach to rehabilitation. This approach will include
evaluating several factors related to the patient’s health and wellness.
Strokes can affect different parts of a victim’s brain, so the approach toward
rehabilitation may vary depending on which centers of the brain are most
severely affected.
Some common approaches to general rehabilitation for most stroke patients
with a good expected outcome include:
 Muscle rehabilitation - this will typically include reducing spasticity
and tightening of the muscles and training other muscles in the body
to perform tasks that impaired muscles can no longer carry out,
whether on a short-term or permanent basis. For example, patient’s
experiencing paralysis or decreased mobility on one side of their
body, such as the right side, may learn how to use the left side of
their body and retrain their muscles accordingly. This is a very
common approach to rehabilitation, as many people are either left or
right handed, which leads to greater control on the side of the body
the person was used to using preceding the stroke.
 Attention and focusing training – this type of rehabilitation focuses
on helping survivors learn to refocus their attention so they can
perform daily tasks following a stroke. Some patients will have to
relearn very common skills including eating, talking, using the
bathroom or communicating and listening to others.
28

29.  Speech and communication therapy – which focuses on restoring
one’s ability to communicate, whether nonverbally or verbally. Other
forms or tools a survivor can learn to use include using a computer
or pen and paper to communicate with others. Some patients will
have to relearn the alphabet and learn how to communicate and read
again. If the stroke is very severe, it is similar to a doctor or
rehabilitation specialist teaching a student in elementary school.
 Medication therapy - this is a common approach for relieving side
effects including pain associated with treatment following a stroke.
There are also some medications currently available that may help
patients improve their ability to articulate words correctly. Other
drugs may help improve unusual side-effects, including
uncontrollable hiccups, an often unmentioned side-effect affecting
many patients that have survived a serious stroke.
 Emotional rehabilitation - this rehabilitation focuses on helping
survivor’s regain their self-esteem, confidence, independence and
ability to fight for a better quality of life. It is very common for stroke
survivors to undergo periods of depression. It is important that
doctors recognize this and respond to it accordingly. The American
Stroke Association indicates that failure to address symptoms of
depression my lead to prolonged therapy or a less than ideal
response to rehabilitation efforts.
 Neurological emotionalism - this is a term often given to stroke
survivors that describes certain emotional features a patient may
exhibit following stroke, including uncontrollable crying. It is
neurological, however, rather than a psychological disorder, meaning
29

30. it is not directly tied to the emotions necessarily, but rather changes
that occur in the brain following stroke.
Also important to address during recovery and rehabilitation is the
emotional and physical ability and strength of the stroke survivor’s primary
caregiver. Many will require support and guidance. Some caregivers may
also undergo bouts of depression, especially if they are coping with the loss
of a loved ones ability to communicate and interact with them intimately.
Fortunately, rehabilitation can also work to help caregivers respond and
address the physical and emotional impacts a loved one’s stroke can have
on them as well. Rehabilitation and counseling is often an important
consideration for caregivers who’s loved one may experience abnormal
neurological behaviors following a stroke, including dementia or aggressive
behavior.
Remember, sometimes it is difficult to determine at first glance how a stroke
will manifest in a survivor physically and emotionally. A caregiver should
work closely with a qualified team of healthcare professionals to help the
stroke survivor decide on the best course of treatment and rehabilitation for
a patient.
What We Learned
A stroke affects survivors in various ways, depending on the severity of the
stroke and the areas of the brain that are damaged or impacted by a stroke.
Recovery is critical to one’s success and ability to improve their quality of
life, and often starts with prompt, immediate and active rehabilitation.
Depending on the severity of a survivor’s stroke, a patient may begin
speech and language rehabilitation within the first 48 hours following a
30

31. stroke. Many believe communication is the most important ability to recover
following a stroke, allowing a survivor to better communicate and share
their needs and their impressions of treatment.
Depending on the patient, the caregiver and resources available to them, a
rehabilitation team is likely to develop a moderate to aggressive approach
to rehabilitation depending on a survivor’s state of mind, condition and
willingness or desire to enter therapy. Often, medication intervention,
including treatment for anxiety or depression, may initiate rehabilitative
efforts to help provide stroke survivors with hope for a recovery that will
improve their quality of life and long-term wellness.
Because many patients suffering a stroke are at risk for another one, it is
important to know what steps are necessary to help reduce the odds a
patient will experience recurring strokes. In the next section, we will discuss
various risk factors and treatments for patients that may be at risk for
experiencing a subsequent stroke. The more attention one gives to their
overall health and wellness following a stroke, the more likely they are to
regain better control over and improve the quality of their lives.
31

32. Chapter 4 - Avoiding Future Strokes
The American Stroke Association, an organization working with the American
Heart Association, emphasizes that once one has a stroke their risk of having
another is higher than someone who has not suffered a stroke. This may seem
scary, but the good news is you can control many risk factors and make lifestyle
changes that will reduce the odds you will suffer from another debilitating stroke.
Much like a person that has a heart attack survives and recovers so too can a
person who suffers a stroke. They can also limit their odds of experiencing future
disability. This section will focus on ways stroke survivors can reduce their
chances of suffering another stroke. The information provided contains
guidelines provided by the American Stroke Association and American Heart
Association, as well as other organizations committed to improving the quality of
life of individuals following stroke.
Dietary Changes
One simple way anyone can reduce their chances of succumbing to a second
stroke is by eating well. Healthy food choices are important for maintaining your
heart’s health and reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke, high blood
pressure and other conditions that can contribute to stroke.
Good nutrition will also provide you with more energy, something you will find
very important in the months and years following your stroke. If you suffered a
stroke and have comorbid conditions, like heart disease or diabetes, it is more
important than ever you eat well to nourish your body.
Here are some tips for eating well that will help reduce your risk of recurring
strokes:
 Make sure you invest in lean protein like fish and poultry.
32

33.  Incorporate many whole grains, fruits and vegetables into your diet. Aim
for a serving of each during each meal of the day.
 Try baking, grilling or broiling foods instead of frying them.
 Use olive oil in place of butter for seasoning, dressings and flavor, as olive
oil has heart healthy ingredients.
 Avoid foods that are highly processed and foods that contain too much
saturated fat (including red meat). Eat these in moderation. The majority of
your diet should include wholesome, nutritious and energy producing
foods.
 Try using egg whites when making egg products including omelets.
 Look at label ingredients when shopping and avoid products containing
“high fructose corn syrup” and products containing lots of sugar.
Just as anyone will benefit by eating a diet containing more wholesome,
unprocessed foods, so too will a stroke survivor benefit by paying more attention
to their diet, and physical activity, which ultimately serves to improve the life and
quality of life of anyone willing to put effort into these critical success factors.
Recognize Stroke Risk Factors
If you recognize physical risk factors of a stroke, you are more likely to take
preventive action.
Just by becoming more aware of stroke risk factors, you can help reduce your
risk of future strokes. Here are some common physical health factors that may
increase your risk of stroke or recurrent stroke:
33

34. 1. High Blood Pressure – One of the leading risk factors for strokes and
heart disease alike is high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often a
sign of other health problems. A majority of stroke patients have high
blood pressure before experiencing their first stroke. Any blood pressure
with a systolic reading greater than 130 or diastolic reading greater than
80 may suggest you are at risk for pre-high blood pressure. If you notice
your blood pressure creeping up, consult with your doctor and take action
to correct it.
There are many ways to treat high blood pressure.
1. Exercise is one of the best ways to help lower blood pressure. It will
also help restore your energy and can help promote weight loss.
2. Lose weight if you are overweight. Many times simply being
overweight increases your odds of high blood pressure or
hypertension.
3. Reduce your consumption of alcohol, which can increase your risk
for high blood pressure if you are prone to hypertension.
4. See your doctor about blood pressure lowering medications if your
blood pressure is very high.
5. Limit or reduce your intake of salt.
6. Increase the amount of fluid or water you drink so you do not retain
water, because interestingly this can raise your blood pressure.
2. Atrial Fibrillation – In this condition the atria or top chambers of the heart
do not beat properly. Instead of actively pulsing, they “quiver” so blood
does not move into the ventricles properly. Many patients, up to 20
percent according to conservative estimates, have atrial fibrillation before
experiencing a stroke. This is because this condition slows down the flow
34

35. of blood, increasing the likelihood that blood will pool in the body and clot.
This increases your risk for a stroke and recurring strokes.
The good news is your doctor has many treatments available to help keep
blood from clotting, including the use of anticoagulants. Many survivors
are offered these medications or antiplatelets, to reduce their odds of
having another stroke. Some studies, including those by the American
Heart Association, also suggest that taking aspirin may reduce the risk of
a first time stroke, or reduce the severity of a stroke if taken within the first
two days or few hours of a stroke.
3. Atherosclerosis – High blood cholesterol or other risk factors increase
one’s risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Often high
cholesterol can be controlled through diet alone. If your condition is
hereditary, you may have to seek the advice of a doctor who may
prescribe a cholesterol lowering drug temporarily to reduce your risk of a
stroke or recurring stroke. A diet that increases levels of HDL, or good
cholesterol, can decrease your risk of atherosclerosis.
4. Inactivity – A simple lack of activity can increase your risk of a recurrent
stroke. While it may seem counterintuitive, it actually benefits you to
exercise following a stroke. People who are in better shape before a
stroke will suffer fewer long-term consequences and often recover faster
than their inactive counterparts. You don’t have to start running
marathons, but you should consult with your doctor for a recommended
activity program that will help keep you safe and physically active.
There are many other risk factors that may heighten one’s susceptibility to future
strokes, including one’s family history and overall wellness and attention to
rehabilitation. Remember, all survivors are individuals. The more a survivor
35

36. understands their risk for recurrence, the more likely they are to take proactive
steps to reduce their odds for another stroke and hasten their recovery.
What We Learned
Once a person suffers from a stroke they automatically are at an increased risk
for another stroke. The good news is simple awareness of this can dramatically
improve one’s odds for survival and decrease their chances of having
subsequent strokes.
In this chapter you learned how to improve your overall health and lifestyle
habits, which can dramatically improve your odds for surviving a stroke and
reduce your odds for experiencing a secondary stroke.
In the next section, we’ll talk more about the impact a stroke has on friends and
family, who often become primary caregivers or emotional support figures in the
lives of stroke survivors. A stroke survivor’s ability to recover well often hinges on
the willingness of those around him or her to help support them in their often
difficult journey to healing.
This next section will also help caregivers learn ways they can better care for
their own health and emotional wellness while grieving for loved one’s who’ve
suffered from a stroke.
36

37. Chapter 5 - Friends, Caregivers and Family
Friends and family members are often involved in taking care of and helping
someone recover following a stroke. Many times family members or friends and
other caregivers look for support, so they know best how to help their loved one.
If you are a stroke victim, and can communicate, the best way to help family
members is to be honest about your feelings, wants and needs. It never helps to
keep things bottled inside. That said, if you haven’t suffered a stroke, it is hard to
understand what having a stroke is like, and how it changes your life.
Friends and family will benefit by learning as much as they can about strokes and
how it affects one’s life. There are many resources and support groups online for
stroke victims, but also for the friends, family and caregivers of people that have
suffered a stroke.
Finding Support
Many times a stroke victim feels as if he or she is alone. Family members can
also feel this way as they struggle to find ways to help. One way to find support is
by reading about other’s experiences with strokes and others experiences
helping loved ones overcome the difficulties presented following a stroke.
For victims, friends and family members, a wonderful resource to find information
about support groups is the American Stroke Association. You can access them
here:
www.strokeassociation.org
Here you will find personal stories of recovery and care, and support groups for
patients and family members. You can also learn more about recovering from a
stroke and what you can expect from life following a stroke. This site also offers
37

38. caregivers, including family members, special offers including daily journals they
can use to log important information, and provides links to various resources
specifically designed to provide caregivers and family members the proper
knowledge and information they need to care for a stroke victim.
The American Heart Association also offers a board and forum offering familial
support for families caring for a loved one, and for individuals that have suffered
from a stroke who are looking for advice and support. Visit:
http://my.americanheart.org/jiveforum/index.jspa
In the resources section of this guidebook you will find links to many other
support groups and forums you can rely on for guidance and additional
information during your journey. One thing many family members and caregivers
often forget is to care for themselves while caring for a loved one. It is easy to fall
into the trap of spending so much time caring for your loved one that you forget
to care for yourself. The good news is you can prevent frustration and burnout by
remembering that you are important.
If you burn out, you won’t be any help to your loved one or to yourself. So start by
taking some time out of each day just for you. Take some time to exercise to help
relieve the stresses associated with caring for a loved one.
Communication and Family Roles
Most importantly, make sure you communicate your needs to your loved one.
Just because someone has a stroke, doesn’t mean they can’t empathize and
understand that you too must feel stress. When you communicate about your
fears, anxieties and desires, you open the door to better communication and a
warmer relationship. This will improve the quality of life for you and the person
you care for.
38

39. Tips For Caregivers & Stroke Victims
When someone has a stroke, their life changes dramatically, as does the
lives of the people living with the person who has had a stroke. Let’s say
for example, the “head of a household” has a stroke. The stroke results
in a disability.
What does this do to a family dynamic? It changes it completely. The first
step toward recovery is recognizing how the stroke has affected the
family dynamic, and the role each member of the family has to take on.
Someone else may now step up and act as head of the house. You may
need to hire additional care or someone to provide in-home, full-time
care depending on the severity of the stroke. You may find you need to
take more time to care for yourself as you tire working diligently to attend
to the rehabilitative needs of a cherished loved one.
One way to go about structuring your life and improving the quality of
your life, whether a family member or a stroke patient, is to sit down and
communicate with each other. Map out who is responsible for what.
Responsibilities might be as simple as “communicating daily” or “taking
five minutes alone to relieve stress.” Every person in the home should
have their own role and their own schedule, including the stroke patient.
Remember, someone that has a stroke is still an important part of the
family, and will want to play a role in the planning and execution of family
affairs. Disabled doesn’t mean incompetent. Keep that in mind. Consider
each family members skills, abilities, talents and capabilities, and work to
consolidate them to improve the quality of everyone’s life.
39

40. Your life may change dramatically, but many times it may be for the
better. Once the initial chaos and confusion wears off, you can pull
together as a team to overcome just about anything.
What We Learned
When someone has a stroke, it changes the entire dynamic of a family. The
good news is this change may seem at first like something bad, but
eventually with proper support, communication and understanding, everyone
can pull together to create a loving, supportive and nurturing environment.
Every member of the family, including a primary caregiver, needs support
following a stroke. If you or a loved one suffers from a stroke, seek help and
guidance. Don’t go it alone. This will help reduce the chaos and fears that
often accompany a dynamic change in one’s routine and living environment.
For more information and family support, for caregivers and family, try
contacting the Stroke Family Support Network. They can help you clarify
each person’s role in the family, and direct you to local resources and help
when needed. There number is 1-888-4-STROKE.
Here are some additional resources for family members:
 National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
o Visit them at www.aoa.dhhs.gov/elderpage/locator.html
 National Family Caregivers Association – provides direct links to
people and access to resources for family caregivers caring for victims
of stroke and other diseases.
o Visit them at www.nfcacares.org
40

41.  National Easter Seal Society – offers many programs and
rehabilitation services for adults with disabilities including stroke.
o Visit them at www.easter-seals.org
Most hospitals and healthcare facilities also offer links to local and
community organizations and support groups that can help caregivers find
support and help stroke survivors find support following their illness.
In the next section, we will wrap up our discussion of rehabilitation and life
after a stroke by offering survivors and their families hope for the future. No
matter how debilitating any illness, it is important that caregivers, patients
and loved one’s recognize that there is always hope for the future.
Technology and modern medicine continue to bring new and interesting
techniques and strategies for hastening recovery and restoring one’s ability
to live a full and rewarding life following stroke. Let’s take some time to look
at what the future has to offer stroke survivors and their families.
41

42. Chapter 6 - Hope For The Future
Hope is the single most important thing one must hold onto during their
recovery from a stroke…
Unless one is a victim of a stroke, one can never really understand what a
stroke survivor will undergo during the recovery process. As frustrating as
recovery may sometimes feel for caregivers, it is equally if not more
frustrating for patients. Patients may want nothing more than to restore their
life to the state it was in before their stroke.
Most patients suffering a stroke however, will have to learn a new way to
adapt to their life. They will have to learn new ways of coping with new
disabilities, and new ways of thinking about their body’s and their minds.
As technology and modern medicine continue to converge they will open the
door for new possibilities for stroke victims and their families. A key to a
stroke survivor’s recovery is their ability to recognize the physical changes a
stroke will have on their body. The more knowledge one has of an illness, the
better able one is to recover from it.
The same holds true for caregivers. The life of a caregiver for any patient
with a disability can be challenging. Caregivers have a duty to themselves to
take care of their own physical and emotional health as they do to care for
others. Some survivor’s will suffer severe physical and emotional damage
requiring permanent in-house care in a competent and caring facility.
If this is the case, a loved one will often need to seek support from other
families and perhaps even counseling to learn how to cope with the changes
in life brought on by a stroke. This is often the case when a patient
permanently losses the ability to communicate clearly or understand others.
42

43. The good news is many patients will recover from their stroke. They may not
live the same life they did before having a stroke. They do however, have the
ability to learn and discover a new way of living life. Medical treatments can
help reduce pain and discomfort. Speech and language therapy can help an
individual regain their capacity to communicate well with others.
Emotional and psychological rehabilitation and counseling can help stroke
survivors learn to look at their lives in new and challenging ways. Remember,
with proper support and a positive outlook, anything is possible. If you keep
the hope alive, you will have the best chances for success, happiness and
comfort as you learn to life with life after a stroke.
We hope you found this guide helpful to you in your journey toward recovery.
Remember that life is constantly evolving and changing, as are all people as
individuals. A stroke will represent a dramatic change in the way you live
your life, but can also present you with new challenges and opportunities to
live a healthier, better and more rewarding life.
Many blessings to you on your journey toward health and wellness…
43

44. Stroke Resources
There are many resources available to patients, professionals and caregivers
of survivors of stroke. Many of them are listed throughout this guide. To help
you find information quickly and easily, a list of resources is provided below
you can use anytime.
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
1-800-242-8721
This site provides information for patients, healthcare providers, caregivers
and family members looking for information about rehabilitation, stroke,
recovery and support. Many feel this is the best starting point to find
information about health and recovery. You can also find detailed information
about what stroke is and how it affects the body using this website.
American Stroke Association
http://www.americanheart.org
1-888-478-7653
Like the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association
commits itself to providing ongoing support, education and information to
patients, family members, caregivers and professionals interested in learning
more about stroke. This site is a division of the American Heart Association,
so you will find many references linking the two together. You can also find
links for online risk assessment for stroke and other heart related health
problems.
Congestive Heart Failure
http://www.americanheart.org/chf
As part of the American Stroke Association, this site targets patients and
their caregivers specifically. You can find information and many free tools
44

45. that assess your risk for stroke and keys to prevention for recurrent infections
or illnesses.
Nutrition Information
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org
As you know, good health starts with good nutrition. Patients can reduce their
risk of recurrent stroke by adopting a heart healthy diet. This site,
recommended by the American Stroke Association, is a non-profit entity
providing recipes and nutrition advice for adopting a healthy and nutritious
lifestyle.
Brain Basics
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/preventing_stroke.htm
Part of the National Institutes of Health, this informative article provides
information on preventing stroke in healthy individuals. You can also link to
other articles and resources about cardiovascular and heart health for men
and women, as well as children.
Generation S: Young Stroke Survivors
http://www.orgsites.com/pa/generation-s
Stroke is not an illness that affects young and old alike. Young people,
including children, can fall victim to stroke… and survive. This innovative
young and hip website targets young people affected by stroke, offering
support and guidance.
Stroke Information Directory
http://www.stroke-info.com/
This site offers even more links to centers and organizations providing
information, articles and support details for patients, caregivers and providers
interested in learning more about stroke.
45

46. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
A government funded site, part of the National Institutes of Health, providing
resources and information on various neurological disorders including stroke.
Also provides links to resources for primary caregivers.
National Stroke Association
http://www.stroke.org
Like the American Stroke Association, provides national support for patients,
caregivers and family members seeking more information about stroke and
recovery. For links to local support groups in your area you can visit for
support, whether a survivor or caregiver, visit
http://www.strok.org/supportsearch.cfm
The National Rehabilitation Information Center
http://www.naric.com
This site provides details about rehabilitation and new treatment alternatives
for patients facing many illnesses and acute diseases including stroke. Here
you can find detailed information about specific therapies you may have an
interest in learning more about that center on prevention and recovery.
Stroke Network
http://www.strokenetwork.org
The Stroke Network is an online community committed to providing
caregivers and survivors support and guidance during their journey toward
recovery. You can buy stroke awareness gifts to help increase the public’s
knowledge and awareness of heart health and stroke. This site is rated a top-
notch website in 2007 for stroke survivors and health providers by Dorland’s.
Health professionals are also invited to take part in discussions. A non-profit
organization, the Stroke Network is a support group whose members and
directors include survivors of stroke or those whose lives have been affected
46

47. by a family members suffering and joyous recovery or painful loss. Many
consider this truly unique organization a blossoming addition to the family of
support networks available to stroke survivors, caregivers, health
professionals and family.
i
Haan, D.R., Limburg, M. Van Der Meulen, J., et. Al. (1995). “Quality of life after stroke: impact of stroke
type and lesion location.” Stroke, 26: 402-408; Sneeuw, K.C., Aaronson, R., Haan, J., Limburg, M. (1997).
“Assessing Quality of Life After Stroke.” Stroke, 28: 1541-1549.
ii
Op Cit Ibid;
iii
American Heart Association.
iv
National Stroke Association.
v
American Stroke Association.
vi
Op.Cit.Ibid; ASA; http://www.poststrokehelp.com/
vii
http://www.nym.org/
47