State of the Heart: The Practical Guide to Your Heart and Heart Surgery

When my mother had a heart attack a few months ago, my first impulse was to try to understand what was going on. Purchasing this book was a huge help in that matter. It guided us through all of the various tests, procedures, and surgeries she ended up needing. When we found out a valve replacement would be necessary, we were able to ask informed questions of the surgeon, having read this book. He even asked if I was a doctor!When faced with frightening, complicated medical issues this book will help you understand your situation. We found ourselves passing it around the cardiac ward waiting room, and using it to help other families as well.

STATE OF THE HEART : The Practical Guide to Your Heart and Heart SurgeryThe heart is a fascinating organ. Many of you are curious about learning more of it. Dr.Larry Stephenson's new book, "State of the Heart", is a good starting point.Targeted at the non-medical reader, "State of the Heart" does a good job of introducing one to the mysteries of the heart and its disorders, and explaining heart surgery in terms that are understandable and reassuring. If you have had, or are facing heart surgery, this book will help calm your fears and anxieties.Beginning with a historical overview of heart disease treatment, the book goes on to describe the structure and function of the normal heart before embarking on a voyage of discovery about heart disease - its causes, diagnosis, treatment and most important, prevention. All kinds of heart disease are covered - congenital, coronary, valvular, heart failure, arrhythmias and aneurysms.Each section is generously illustrated with excellent, full-color pictures and photographs, and is written in a credible and authoratitive fashion - not surprising, as the author of each is an world-reknown expert in that specific area!The list of contributors to this patient guide on heart disease and surgery is a veritable who's-who in the fields of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery. The book is edited and compiled by Dr.Larry Stephenson, one of the pioneers in heart surgery and a researcher into heart-alternatives for heart failure patients. A foreword by Dr.Everett Koop, former Surgeon General, kicks off this all-star cast with articles by Drs.Denton Cooley, Michael DeBakey, Walton Lillehei, John Kirklin, Dudley Johnson, Christiaan Barnard, Delos Cosgrove and many more. Especially enjoyable are the sections on "How to select your cardiologist / cardiac surgeon?", and the overview of "Advanced Heart Failure : Transplants, Heart Assist Devices and the Future". All content is current, up-to-date, and includes even promising research that might soon become clinical reality.If the book has a drawback, it is in the focus being overwhelmingly American. The healthcare system discussed is the one in effect in the US. But this apart, the generic content provides much of value to the reader looking for reliable, recent heart disease information - wherever in the world s/he is from.Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian, MDCardiothoracic Surgeon

STATE OF THE HEART : The Practical Guide to Your Heart and Heart SurgeryThe heart is a fascinating organ. Many of you are curious about learning more of it. Dr.Larry Stephenson's new book, "State of the Heart", is a good starting point.Targeted at the non-medical reader, "State of the Heart" does a good job of introducing one to the mysteries of the heart and its disorders, and explaining heart surgery in terms that are understandable and reassuring. If you have had, or are facing heart surgery, this book will help calm your fears and anxieties.Beginning with a historical overview of heart disease treatment, the book goes on to describe the structure and function of the normal heart before embarking on a voyage of discovery about heart disease - its causes, diagnosis, treatment and most important, prevention. All kinds of heart disease are covered - congenital, coronary, valvular, heart failure, arrhythmias and aneurysms.Each section is generously illustrated with excellent, full-color pictures and photographs, and is written in a credible and authoratitive fashion - not surprising, as the author of each is an world-reknown expert in that specific area!The list of contributors to this patient guide on heart disease and surgery is a veritable who's-who in the fields of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery. The book is edited and compiled by Dr.Larry Stephenson, one of the pioneers in heart surgery and a researcher into heart-alternatives for heart failure patients. A foreword by Dr.Everett Koop, former Surgeon General, kicks off this all-star cast with articles by Drs.Denton Cooley, Michael DeBakey, Walton Lillehei, John Kirklin, Dudley Johnson, Christiaan Barnard, Delos Cosgrove and many more. Especially enjoyable are the sections on "How to select your cardiologist / cardiac surgeon?", and the overview of "Advanced Heart Failure : Transplants, Heart Assist Devices and the Future". All content is current, up-to-date, and includes even promising research that might soon become clinical reality.If the book has a drawback, it is in the focus being overwhelmingly American. The healthcare system discussed is the one in effect in the US. But this apart, the generic content provides much of value to the reader looking for reliable, recent heart disease information - wherever in the world s/he is from.