Your Heart

by John A. Elefteriades

Despite great progress in prevention and treatment, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated one in six Americans will develop some kind of cardiac problem in their lifetime, and each year nearly three-quarters of a million people die from heart disease. Faced with these statistics, Americans naturally have many questions about risk factors, warning signs, treatment options, and numerous other concerns.This comprehensive guide makes crucial, potentially life-saving information about the heart easily accessible. Based on decades of hands-on experience in treating patients, the authors ― a cardiothoracic surgeon and a cardiologist, both affiliated with Yale University School of Medicine ― address specific questions that they hear virtually every day from the people in their care. Simulating an office visit with heart specialists, the book uses an easy-to-follow format that allows readers to find answers quickly. Numerous professional medical drawings and actual operating-room photographs illustrate important facts and concepts. From well-known problems such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and angina, to lesser-known conditions such as valvular heart disease, rheumatic fever, and arrhythmia, the authors provide clear, up-to-date, fact-based medical information, while avoiding confusing jargon as well as fad therapies. They also discuss tests and diagnoses; lifestyle changes to avoid or to live with heart disease; medications and therapies; and surgical procedures such as bypass grafting, valve replacement, and heart transplants, among other treatments. A special section is devoted to women and their hearts. This superb all-in-one popular reference book on the heart will be a welcome resource for heart patients, their families, healthcare providers, and anyone concerned about a healthy lifestyle.

418 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2007

Reviews

[Hal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly good overview of the complexities and things everyone really should know about how their heart works and what can be done to fix it when things go wrong. I am fortunate in that I do not currently have any complications but knowing it is the number one killer it is not a bad idea to know about what can go wrong and how to stay on top it. The book two pretty distinguished cardiologists take you through just about everything related to this vital organ. What to look for and and what to know from the many maladies that can occur to anyone. The latter portion of the book covers procedures for heart patients and explains in good detail what can be done and what to expect. A good source of knowledge that can be read skipping around to chapters to specific interest.

[Chris Meads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a user friendly guide about your most important muscle in the body, your heart.

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in America. And this book tells everything from what to do if you're having a heart attack to surgery to getting a pace maker. Two cardiologists from Yale University School of Medicine have written this book in easy to understand language and it's comprehensive. You don't need to read it cover to cover but only those parts that are of interest to you.

For those of us that have heart disease in our family, it's well worth the read.

[Rhaea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, especially if you want to know more about taking care of your heart. But I am biased, and you'll see why when you read the acknowledgments and see my name about half way down.... however, even without that, Dr. Elefteriades is the very best at whay he does. This book is great.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had two open heart surgeries, this book is tremendously helpful in educating yourself about your heart. This is one of the only books that covers very complex information in an understandable manner.

Read it to educate yourself.

Will plan on reading more by this author.