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Cerebrovascular Disease

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Family Medicine

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Abstract

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is a general term encompassing all the brain abnormalities that result from pathologies of its blood vessels (e.g., atherosclerotic, aneurysm, inflammation, dissection). CVD can manifest as an acute onset or chronic condition and can affect any part of the central nervous system, including the spinal cord (which will not be discussed in this chapter). Stroke is a term typically used for cerebrovascular events that start abruptly, and it represents a neurological emergency. It can be referred to as “brain attack.” Stroke is a heterogeneous entity and essentially is classified as ischemic and hemorrhagic. Most strokes lead to permanent brain damage and lasting neurological deficits, but over the last few decades, many diagnostic, therapeutic, and process developments have improved significantly its prognosis. Time to restore the blood flow to the affected vessels is of the essence to minimize the brain damage. Of note, CVD also includes the so-called silent strokes which are common and only revealed by advanced neuroimaging techniques. Family medicine physicians need to be closely involved in the primary prevention of strokes and associated CVD, which would have a major impact on the health and welfare of their patients. Also, family medicine practitioners are essential in helping the stroke survivors navigate the rehabilitation process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Kamal C. Wagle & Cristina S. Ivan

Authors
  1. Kamal C. Wagle
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  2. Cristina S. Ivan
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Correspondence to Kamal C. Wagle or Cristina S. Ivan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA

    Paul Paulman

  2. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Robert B. Taylor

  3. Department of Family Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    Audrey A. Paulman

  4. Department of Family Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA

    Laeth S. Nasir

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Wagle, K.C., Ivan, C.S. (2020). Cerebrovascular Disease. In: Paulman, P., Taylor, R.B., Paulman, A.A., Nasir, L.S. (eds) Family Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_72-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_72-2

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Cerebrovascular Disease
    Published:
    02 November 2020

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_72-2

  2. Original

    Cerebrovascular Disease
    Published:
    16 September 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_72-1

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