Carotid and vertebral artery dissections are responsible for one-quarter of strokes in young adults. Despite this fact, there is very little awareness and understanding of these vascular injuries by the public, and even by healthcare providers. This book answers the common questions that patients with carotid and vertebral artery dissections have with easy-to-understand explanations. Also included are stories from patients who have persevered after their dissections. Their tales personalize dissection and stroke in young adults in an undeniable way, and illustrate the existence of the lingering effects dissections can have on patients for years.

Jodi A. Dodds, MD, a vascular neurologist at Duke University, and Amanda P. Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and a survivor of a severe carotid artery dissection, have created an important and needed resource for patients and their families as they navigate through the aftermath of this life-changing event.