This book provides an accessible overview of the disease which is a leading cause of death.Diseases have a history, and understanding that history helps us understand how best to treat and control disease today. Today's students are confronted with a panoply of often-frightening illnesses and afflictions - the "Biographies of Disease" series provides necessary information to understand the origin of various maladies, how they impact contemporary society, and how doctors and researchers from around the world are fighting to devise treatments to alleviate or cure these diseases. This volume, "Stroke", covers a common affliction that comes in many different forms, which can be fatal or leave the patient disabled, and which strikes a surprising number of younger people." Stroke" examines all aspects of this affliction, including: the definition of a stroke, and the history of the disease, including a discussion of famous people who have suffered strokes; how a stroke is diagnosed, using vital signs and brain imaging; who is most at risk, with a discussion of the impact of factors such as age, smoking, and cholesterol; prevention and treatment of serious strokes, including medication and surgery; and, the long-term impact of serious strokes on patients, their families, and society as a whole.The volume includes a glossary of important terms and a bibliography of accessible works that discuss the disease.