cover image Yale University School of Medicine Heart Book

Yale University School of Medicine Heart Book

. William Morrow & Company, $30 (432pp) ISBN 978-0-688-09719-6

Zaret, Moser and Cohen, in one of the most comprehensive looks yet taken at cardiovascular health, leave no stone unturned in their quest to educate the public in this user-friendly, browsable volume. Here one finds easy-to-understand descriptions of heart disease and other cardiovascular maladies--heart attacks, hypertension, strokes, cardiac arrhythmias, rheumatic heart disease. In addition to explanations of the various tests and procedures for evaluating and monitoring cardiovascular conditions, tables detail what the most commonly prescribed drugs can and cannot do. And although many of us are weary of hearing about good and bad cholesterol, the good doctors make it a point to say that these should not be ignored. For anyone facing cardiovascular surgery, or knowing someone in need of it, descriptions of the newest offerings in bypass and other state-of-the-art techniques will prove useful. But equally important is the sound advice--no-nonsense, not threatening--about maintaining good cardiovascular health through diet, exercise and stress reduction. Especially helpful is an extensive end-of-the-book encyclopedia of common cardiovascular disorders and symptoms, and a directory of resources. Zaret, Moser and Cohen are professors at the Yale University School of Medicine. (May)