Customer Reviews

Living with Coronary Heart Disease: A Guide for Patients and Families (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)

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Three hearty cheers (!!!) to Dr. Granato for writing this informative book on CHD. Unlike some other MD-authors who pitch their own biased notions concerning prevention and treatment, he provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the art, evidence-based cardiological theory and treatment. The book is clearly written, using language that an educated lay person might easily understand. His color drawings are among the best I've seen, and greatly enhance his text.

My recent heart attack was a life-changing event that called for an abrupt increase in my knowledge, as well as changes to my lifestyle. To treat the after-effects of the attack, I underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)to improve my blood flow. During this procedure some mysterious (to me at that time) stents were placed in my arteries and I was subsequently put on a regimen of several new pills that I knew nothing about. I studied this book from cover to cover and gained a better understanding of the following: the likely causes of my CHD; the nature of the stents that will reside in my arteries for the rest of my life; the rationale behind the medications I am currently taking; and the actions I should take to improve my chances for recovery.

After some unstable angina, I received a stent in my coronary artery at a fairly young age. Since then I was always plagued with questions about my medications, my prognosis, dangers, and what actually happened. Doctors and cardiologists will always tend to give you the Cliff Notes version. Websites and books will always repeat the usual ad nauseum prevention advice-- eat right, get exercise, keep your cholesterol low.

Living with CHD is a great book that answered my questions, and clarified everything my doctors ever told me. This book goes beyond the usual lay terms and topline information. It explains the biological and chemical processes of CHD, studies, and outlooks. And it does so with easy-to-swallow analogies and explanations. If you're tired of the usual information on heart health, this book will satisfy your appetite to know more.

It does get academic at points and sometimes can feel like a science lesson, but if you have CHD and want to know what's going on with your condition and care, this book is a well-written, absolute must-read. I finally know, in more medical terms, what's wrong with me and what all my meds really do. Kudos to the author and also Johns Hopkins Press.

This book explains very complicated medical conditions/treatment to patients and their loved ones in a very simple, understandable way. As a nurse, I would recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn about their heart disease and how to manage it. It helps you to be an advocate for your own healthcare. Very well written.

In 1993, I had a triple bypass after suffering acute pulmonary edema. I found Dr. Granato's book immensly helpful in understanding my circulatory problems and evaluating the various lifestyle options to continue enjoying the benefits of my surgery.

I've looked at a number of books on coronary artery disease for patients and this is among the best I've seen. It's short, clear, up-to-date, and does not over-simplify. If you need a diet and exercise manual, this is not the book to choose, but if you need a good reference to help you understand current treatment options, get this book.