Carotid and Vertebral Artery Dissection: A Guide For Survivors and Their Loved Ones

by Jodi A. Dodds MD, Amanda P. Anderson, Jodi Gehring

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.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2017

Reviews

[Jessica Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been an incredibly helpful and thorough book arranged in an easy-to-digest Q&A format. After suffering a vertebral artery dissection and subsequent ischemic stroke at 34 years old, I have had many questions about this new normal and my journey back to my healthy, active lifestyle. This guide has provided examples from other people in a similar situation and helped shape conversations with my neurologists. I highly recommend.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who recently went through an artery dissection, READ THIS BOOK. I had ongoing anxiety after my hospital discharge and this book calmed me down. It is such a needed book, because so many neurologists have no idea what to expect from patients with dissections. This book was SO helpful in my emotional and mental recovery after my VAD with multiple strokes! Highly, highly recommend!!

[Denise Likens · Rating 5 out of 5]

19 Years post LVAD

I was amazed and gratified that I could still learn something 19 years after my LVAD and stroke. I wish I had this book available to me years ago - it answered so many questions. Extreme exhaustion being one of them. I still get exhausted, not quite as badly, but it's still there. The ever present layers of pain. Thank for this book!

[ThatBookish_deviant · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

Eight years post carotid artery dissection and subsequent pseudo-aneurysm. At just 35, life was flipped upside down following a car accident that caused a CAD. This book is a phenomenal resource and certainly helped calm the nerves after a week-long hospital stay. If you or someone you know has the misfortune of experiencing a CAD or VAD then this helpful book is an absolute must read.

[Jennifer Barnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone that has had a cranial artery dissection.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered this book after having suffered with a VAD in August of 2022. It's been a year now and I'm unhealed, my doctor said unfortunately some of us do not ever heal but this book has brought me peace. I know I am not alone, I know that the pain that I have is real. I wish this diagnosis wasn't so unknown. I have met many doctors who do not know what to do or haven't had a patient like me but this book has given me insight and lead me to stand up for myself and lead me to who I need to see for care. Thank you for writing this.

[Shannon Dutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure that this alleviated any of my anxieties surrounding my diagnosis but it validated almost every single thought and feeling I’ve had about it. I was diagnosed with a vertebral artery dissection (with no known cause) in February and although they said it had healed by June, I still feel the pain and have returned to the ER more than once since. I’m thankful I didn’t suffer from a stroke due to the VAD but any pain or discomfort similar to what I previously experienced causes worry and fear that it may happen.

[Natalie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful to have been recommended this book by an online support group. There is not a lot of material out there for dissection survivors and the world can feel so scary without information. Although every story is unique, and certainly everyone’s healing journey can vary greatly, this book gave me validation of what I’ve been through. I still don’t have all the answers and the road ahead is long but I’m so thankful to have this resource to empower me to keep going 🙏🏽

[Erin K · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a helpful resource!

Dr. Dodds’s book is so helpful for those of us who have experienced a carotid or vertebral dissection with or without a stroke. There is basically no information online as to what to expect after these occur and this book finally gave me answers plus a nice lesson in how our system of arteries works in our brain! Thank you for this much needed resource!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful resource for anyone who has been diagnosed with cervical artery dissection. I feel seen and understood, and learned a lot from the Q&As and patient stories. When all I want is more info and answers, it’s incredibly comforting and valuable to read a whole book of information and studies compiled by a neurologist who specializes in this.

[Sara]

Really helpful if you’ve been through anything like this or know someone who has.

[Kim Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super helpful!

Great book! Easy to read and answers lots of questions. The personal stories are wonderful, the question and answer format is great!

[Burr Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

everything i needed to know

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thankful for this book. Currently recovering from carotid artery dissections and a stroke at 31. This book helped answer questions and find some comfort that I will heal.

[Amber Brouwer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is coming from someone that survived a bilateral vertebral dissection that caused a stroke and aneurysm at 27 years old. With that being said I truly can’t come up with words to describe the gratitude I have for this book. It’s the only book I could find that wasn’t too doctor like talk to the point where you can’t understand it. It wasn’t dry and boring. It was informative, relatable, relevant. I felt heard while reading this which is something I deeply longed for after my stroke. There really isn’t much literature on this subject. Which makes this a needle in a haystack! Anyone that has survived or knows a survivor of a dissection should read this!

[Christine Puente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously not a book for everyone, but if you or a loved one have had a dissection, this book answers a lot of questions. I read it on the eve of a follow up appointment with my doctor after my second dissection and was pleased to see a lot of my own questions in the book. Though there weren’t answers to many, at least I know what is still unknown and how better to focus my neurologist’s time.