vii

Contents

The Facts About HealthSouth v

Acknowledgments vi

Introduction: It Will Never Happen to Me 1

Part I A Gathering Storm 9

1 Heart and Soul: Understanding the Brain and Heart Connection 11

2 Risk Factors 31

3 The Types of Strokes 43

4 Warning Signs 49

Part II Brain Storms 55

5 When Stroke Strikes 57

6 Right-Hemisphere Stroke 61

7 Left-Hemisphere Stroke 69

8 Different Strokes 79

9 Diagnostic Tools 83

Part III After the Storm 95

10 Coming Back: Medication 97

11 Coming Back: Where Should Rehabilitation Take Place? 109

12 Coming Back: The Rehabilitation Team 119

13 Coming Back: Physical Therapy 133

viii Contents

14 Coming Back: Occupational, Speech, and Recreational Therapy 151

15 Coming Back: Emotional Issues 181

16 Coming Back: Neural Plasticity—A New Road of Recovery 199

Part IV The Light Source 211

17 Family Business 213

18 Family Problems . . . and Solutions 231

Epilogue: Beyond Stroke 247

Useful Addresses for Education and Support 249

Glossary 253

Sources 267

Index 281