Acute cerebrovascular disease, or stroke, was the third-leading cause of death for Americans and the leading cause of disability in 2005.1,2 A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is hindered by either a blood clot that obstructs an artery in the brain (called an ischemic stroke), or a blood vessel in the brain that breaks (called a hemorrhagic stroke).3 Other cerebrovascular diseases such as transient cerebral ischemia (involving stroke symptoms that last less that 24 hours, sometimes called a mini-stroke) and occlusion or stenosis of the precerebral arteries (a blockage or narrowing of the arteries outside the brain, e.g. carotid arteries in the neck) may indicate that a stroke will occur in the future. Strokes can limit the amount of oxygen the affected part of the brain receives, killing brain cells and potentially leading to brain damage. Depending on the area of the brain affected and extent of harm, minor to debilitating physical and psychological disabilities can occur, including paralysis, speech difficulties, and cognitive issues. An estimated two-thirds of survivors of stroke will experience some type of disability as a result of their stroke.