Resources

Books

The Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure Aggie Casey, R.N., M.S., and Herbert Benson, M.D., with Brian O'Neill (McGraw-Hill, 2006, 187 pages)

This book emphasizes a lifestyle approach to controlling blood pressure, covering diet, exercise, and stress management as well as medications. It provides examples of relaxation exercises you can do at home, healthy recipes, and suggestions for working exercise into a busy day.

The Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol Mason W. Freeman, M.D., with Christine Junge (McGraw-Hill, 2005, 272 pages)

This down-to-earth guide provides advice about how to lower cholesterol. It includes a step-by-step risk assessment and outlines a complete approach to managing cholesterol through nutrition, exercise, and appropriate use of drug therapy.

Stroke and the Family: A New Guide Joel Stein, M.D. (Harvard University Press, 2004, 288 pages)

This book delves into the impact of stroke on family relationships, as well as disabilities such as problems with memory and thinking, emotional and personality changes, and swallowing difficulties. It discusses conventional treatments and rehabilitation techniques, as well as nontraditional therapies. Written by the chief medical officer and medical director of the stroke program at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital at Harvard Medical School.

Organizations

American Stroke Association National Center 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231 888-478-7653 (toll free) www.strokeassociation.org

ASA, a division of the American Heart Association, offers brochures, patient education videos, and online information for stroke survivors and caregivers. It lists local support groups and, through its Pen Friend program, provides names and addresses of stroke survivors who wish to share their experiences. Telephones are often staffed by survivors or caregivers who can provide practical advice and support.

National Aphasia Association 7 Dey St., Suite 600 New York, NY 10007 800-922-4622 (toll free) www.aphasia.org

NAA provides educational material about language loss after stroke, including an information sheet on computers as communication aids, and offers a semiannual newsletter, available online. It also helps individuals find professional assistance and maintains a network of trained volunteers.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke NIH Neurological Institute P.O. Box 5801 Bethesda, MD 20824 800-352-9424 (toll free) www.ninds.nih.gov

This division of the National Institutes of Health provides news about research on stroke and other neurological disorders. It also provides authoritative information on stroke and related conditions, such as aneurysms and aphasia, either online or in brochures that you can receive by mail.

National Stroke Association 9707 East Easter Lane Englewood, CO 80112 800-787-6537 (toll free) www.stroke.org

This information clearinghouse offers brochures, fact sheets, and audiovisual materials on stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. It also refers people to support groups.

The Well Spouse Foundation 63 W. Main St., Suite H Freehold, NJ 07728 800-838-0879 (toll free) www.wellspouse.org

This organization provides support for the husbands, wives, and partners of people who are chronically ill or disabled. It offers support groups in some states, holds conferences, and publishes a bimonthly newsletter.

Source: from Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2008 Harvard University. All rights reserved. Harvard Medical School does not endorse products.
Used with permission of StayWell.
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