What do you think?
Rate this book
A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women worldwide. Yet most people are still unaware that heart disease is not just a man's problem. Carolyn Thomas, a heart attack survivor herself, is on a mission to educate women about their heart health. Based on her popular Heart Sisters blog, which has attracted more than 10 million views from readers in 190 countries, A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease combines personal experience and medical knowledge to help women learn how to understand and manage a catastrophic diagnosis.
In A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease, Thomas explains
- how to recognize the early signs of a heart attack
- why women often delay seeking treatment--and how to overcome that impulse
- the link between pregnancy complications and future heart disease
- why so many women with heart disease are misdiagnosed--and how to help yourself get an accurate diagnosis
- the importance of cardiac rehabilitation in lowering mortality risk
- what to expect during your recovery from a heart attack
- how the surreal process of coping with heart disease may affect your daily life
- methods for treating heart disease-related depression without drugs
Equal parts memoir about a misdiagnosed heart attack, guide to the predictable stages of heart disease--from grief to resilience--and patient-friendly translation of important science-based findings on women's unique heart issues, this book is an essential read. Whether you're a freshly diagnosed patient, a woman who's been living with heart disease for years, or a practitioner who cares about women's health, A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease will help you feel less alone and advocate for better health care.
In A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease, Thomas explains
- how to recognize the early signs of a heart attack
- why women often delay seeking treatment--and how to overcome that impulse
- the link between pregnancy complications and future heart disease
- why so many women with heart disease are misdiagnosed--and how to help yourself get an accurate diagnosis
- the importance of cardiac rehabilitation in lowering mortality risk
- what to expect during your recovery from a heart attack
- how the surreal process of coping with heart disease may affect your daily life
- methods for treating heart disease-related depression without drugs
Equal parts memoir about a misdiagnosed heart attack, guide to the predictable stages of heart disease--from grief to resilience--and patient-friendly translation of important science-based findings on women's unique heart issues, this book is an essential read. Whether you're a freshly diagnosed patient, a woman who's been living with heart disease for years, or a practitioner who cares about women's health, A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease will help you feel less alone and advocate for better health care.
- GenresHealthNonfiction
232 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2017
41 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 12, 2018
This book encapsulates it all - from the pain and feelings of a heart attack, to how to heal and how you feel while healing. From the emotional scars it leaves to the physical scars. She is spot on and I found myself crying and laughing and highlighting galore! EVERY woman with heart issues should read it - it answers so many questions and gives so much hope!
October 13, 2018
Absolutely great read for patients suffering from heart disease, family members of patients, physicians, etc.
October 7, 2018
"A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease" is a must read for anyone living with the disease, knows someone who has heart disease, or any patient navigating a health care system. This book includes medical research, stories from Thomas's own journey with heart disease, as well as anecdotes from others who have had similar experiences. Thomas's writing style is so accessible - it's clear she writes from the heart.
July 20, 2018
I was asked to review for the Nursing Times Journal.
What was it like?
This covers women and heart disease, I must confess I had no idea there was a difference to men and women’s symptoms. I learnt too that this was based on the authors blog – Heart Sisters blog which has attracted approximately 11 million views – that is impressive.
The author sets out how to recognise the early signs of heart attack, why women may delay going to seek treatment or advice to treating heart disease. This is written for woman by a woman.
What were the highlights?
This is written for woman by a woman and is a welcome voice. The first stages in the book I could relate to seemingly neurotic woman knowing something is wrong (we do know our bodies) to sometimes being misdiagnosed.
The personal accounts are interesting and thought provoking.
I am aware of Radiology discrepancy meetings within Trusts- the section on “are diagnostic errors in cardiology reported?” made me wonder and ask questions in the UK if this takes place? I wonder all too often in the UK are the health care settings looking at occupancy figures and targets too much.
This give the patient a lifeline and is an effective resource.
Strengths & weaknesses:
This is written in an easy to read guide/resource. The author is a graduate of Mayos Clinic Woman Heart Science and Leadership symposium for women with heart disease. This has been researched well, with up to date research and a useful glossary (if you are writing for patients understand this. The patients need to understand the jargon and medical terms- not all text book authors writing for patients realises this is important) this book links in with the authors blog – I have now signed up for this this book has made me want to know more.
Written in the states but is equally apt for the UK patient/reader.
Who should read it?
Anyone working in a Coronary disease setting within health care, Emergency Department staff, Ward staff, Medical Teams, and student nurses and doctors.
What was it like?
This covers women and heart disease, I must confess I had no idea there was a difference to men and women’s symptoms. I learnt too that this was based on the authors blog – Heart Sisters blog which has attracted approximately 11 million views – that is impressive.
The author sets out how to recognise the early signs of heart attack, why women may delay going to seek treatment or advice to treating heart disease. This is written for woman by a woman.
What were the highlights?
This is written for woman by a woman and is a welcome voice. The first stages in the book I could relate to seemingly neurotic woman knowing something is wrong (we do know our bodies) to sometimes being misdiagnosed.
The personal accounts are interesting and thought provoking.
I am aware of Radiology discrepancy meetings within Trusts- the section on “are diagnostic errors in cardiology reported?” made me wonder and ask questions in the UK if this takes place? I wonder all too often in the UK are the health care settings looking at occupancy figures and targets too much.
This give the patient a lifeline and is an effective resource.
Strengths & weaknesses:
This is written in an easy to read guide/resource. The author is a graduate of Mayos Clinic Woman Heart Science and Leadership symposium for women with heart disease. This has been researched well, with up to date research and a useful glossary (if you are writing for patients understand this. The patients need to understand the jargon and medical terms- not all text book authors writing for patients realises this is important) this book links in with the authors blog – I have now signed up for this this book has made me want to know more.
Written in the states but is equally apt for the UK patient/reader.
Who should read it?
Anyone working in a Coronary disease setting within health care, Emergency Department staff, Ward staff, Medical Teams, and student nurses and doctors.
February 2, 2023
I loved this book!
When I had my heart event, I had no idea how my life would change.
Carolyn talks honestly about life before: when so many women have their symptoms trivialized or ignored only to have a serious cardiac issue that was left unattended. She discussed the difference between men and women and how women are often treated.
Then, she tackles the after - the fear, the medical jargon, the countless appointments, medication and life changes. She talks about her return/non-return to work), and the grief around losing capacity and having to redefine our identity.
She addresses the hard questions such as dealing with family and friends and depression.
Throughout she quotes women who live with heart disease and shares their experiences as well as her own.
Most importantly, she stresses the importance of being an informed patient and learning to advocate for ourselves and other women.
This book was a bright light and a warm hug during a very difficult time.
When I had my heart event, I had no idea how my life would change.
Carolyn talks honestly about life before: when so many women have their symptoms trivialized or ignored only to have a serious cardiac issue that was left unattended. She discussed the difference between men and women and how women are often treated.
Then, she tackles the after - the fear, the medical jargon, the countless appointments, medication and life changes. She talks about her return/non-return to work), and the grief around losing capacity and having to redefine our identity.
She addresses the hard questions such as dealing with family and friends and depression.
Throughout she quotes women who live with heart disease and shares their experiences as well as her own.
Most importantly, she stresses the importance of being an informed patient and learning to advocate for ourselves and other women.
This book was a bright light and a warm hug during a very difficult time.
March 30, 2018
Having been there recently with a heart attack and stent procedure (or I wouldn't be writing this now), the author describes the ordeal very well. But for me, there was a bit too much emphasis on how women are neglected when it comes to heart disease. Possibly that applies in Canada but from my recent experience, sixty-percent of the patients in the critical cardiac unit were women. So somebody in Australia seems to be doing something right when it comes to informing and treating women with heart disease. Ditto the treatment I received in hospital and cardiac rehab later. Happily, for me and my fellow patients, my doctors, nurses and physios did everything by the book. That is not the author's book, as I was appalled to read the experience she went through being diagnosed (lack of by emergency), treatment (e.g. no exercise immediately post-operative) and discharge and rehabilitation (e.g lack of explanation and demo of the Nitro puffer). I was grateful for the treatment I received, thanks to the author's book I now realise why.
April 24, 2023
A highly informative, practical guide for women who may be living with heart disease. Basing her writing on her own personal experience with symptoms and the health care system, Carolyn Thomas guides the reader through the symptoms particular to woman, misdiagnosis that may occur, testing and processes a woman must experience and then the aftermath: living with the disease. She lets the reader see the depression that may accompany this new lifestyle and she brings humour into her writing. This is a valuable read for anyone suffering with a chronic illness, or family members supporting someone in this state. Particularly helpful - what to say and what not to say to a person with a chronic illness. A valuable read.
March 21, 2019
Hilariously Sobering
As a woman living with a terminal diagnosis (Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer) I both see myself in this book and can distinguish between the diseases. There is something different about those of us who face the Specter of death on a daily basis and yet live to talk about it, even joke about it. Thank you, Carolyn, for this heartbreakingly real look at women with heart disease.
As a woman living with a terminal diagnosis (Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer) I both see myself in this book and can distinguish between the diseases. There is something different about those of us who face the Specter of death on a daily basis and yet live to talk about it, even joke about it. Thank you, Carolyn, for this heartbreakingly real look at women with heart disease.
July 10, 2025
This book provided much needed information on what I can expect after a heart attack. Carolyn Thomas covered every question I had about medical and psychological symptoms, treatment and expectations. I highly recommend this supportive, encouraging yet realistic book about heart disease.
April 12, 2020
Although I've never had a heart attack, this book was worth reading. Not only are there tips about what to do if you or a loved one has a heart attack, but also for getting help for depression.
August 12, 2023
Excellent book, chock full of information relevant to women. Sad that we are not believed because we're seen as anxious hypochondriacs...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews