This book covers heart disease in a very basic way, for it has been tailored to fit the needs of patients who have recently been diagnosed with heart disease.
Chapter 1, “Understanding Your Heart,” provides an outline of the heart and circulatory system. The discussion is nicely complemented by graphics and charts that illustrate the anatomy and processes of the circulatory system.
Chapter 2 is called “Problems with Your Heart.” This section discusses the common heart conditions and includes information on some of the not-so-common disorders, such as coronary artery spasm. Partic-ularly helpful to all readers should be the information provided about differences between men and women in the signs and symptoms of heart attacks. Again, the graphics in this chapter enhance the text.
Chapter 3 explains the risk factors for heart disease clearly and concisely. Most impressive is the explanation of BMI (body mass index) and waist-to-hip ratio. The remaining chapters explain the various diagnostic exams, treatments, and therapies that a heart patient might encounter. One especially useful addition to this book is the chapter that discusses the emotional side of heart disease and the considerable toll this illness takes, not only on the patient, but on the entire family. I especially liked the section “For Loved Ones,” which explains the emotions that the patient's caregivers may experience. Unfortunately, this subject is often disregarded in books of this nature.
Living Well with Heart Disease does an excellent job of providing information that will help heart patients and their families as they begin the process of recovery from heart disease. Cardiac specialists can recommend this book to their patients without reservation.