Mayo Clinic Heart Book, Revised Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Heart Health (Hardcover)

by Bernard J. Gersh (Editor) "our heart, a muscular structure about the size of your fist, and a 60,000-mile network of blood vessels make up your cardiovascular system..." (more)
Key Phrases: people with unstable angina, heart muscle problems, extra pathway, American Heart Association, Borg Perceived Exertion Scale, Excessive Caution (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Heart ailments kill more men and women in our country than any other disease--and every tissue in our body depends on the heart for survival. That makes this updated classic from one of the world's foremost medical centers a must-have reference guide for those who've already been diagnosed with heart disease, and for those at risk for developing it (which, given our dietary habits and the prevalence of obesity, is basically the majority of Americans--studies show the arteries of most teens are already partially clogged).

More than 125 Mayo Clinic specialists were called upon to contribute to this comprehensive book, which is divided into five sections: part 1 describes how your heart and circulatory system work; part 2 educates you about the various types of heart disease you can develop; part 3 reviews risk factors; part 4 covers diagnosis--from blood tests to electrocardiograms and cardiac catheterizations; and part 5 looks at the latest and most effective drug, device, and surgical treatments. All of the sections are complemented by detailed, color and black-and-white illustrations and photographs. There's even a fabulous 16-page color atlas of the heart and circulatory system.

The Mayo Clinic Heart Book will also help you to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart disease (most heart attack patients have more indigestion and arm pain than chest pain), as well as when a trip to the emergency room is warranted or critical. It prepares you for a variety of potential treatment scenarios, and offers a glimpse of a typical rehabilitation and recovery schedule after a heart attack or operation. And it offers up more than 80 tips for preventing heart disease in the first place. All in all, this is information that just may save your life. --Nancy Monson

From Library Journal
The top two cardiac units in the country duke it out on the bookshelves with these consumer health titles. The Mayo Clinic has revised its 1993 guide to heart disease, including updated statistics and some new information, particularly on nutrition (butter vs. margarine, phen-fen, the need to eat more soy), but most of the information is essentially the same as in the first edition. There's nothing in here that you haven't seen in countless other health books, but it is presented well, and the explanations of different types of heart surgery are top-rate. The Cleveland Clinic Heart Book is also a compilation effort by various staff members. Quite similar to the Mayo book, it, too, includes chapters on how the heart works, different types of heart disease, and heart-healthy living. It contains a nice section on medications, including generic and brand names, their uses, and side effects--but then, so does the Mayo book. Both books also have sections on emergencies and CPR, but don't look for alternative therapies. It's hard to imagine two books that are more similar. Basically, they cover exactly the same subject and do it well. Normally, you would only need one or the other, and if you have to choose one, take the Mayo book for its nicer layout and prettier pictures. But most libraries will want both to meet patron requests. As reputable sources of information on standard medical treatment, these two books can't be beat.
-Elizabeth A. Williams, Houston Acad. of Medicine-Texas Medical Ctr. Lib.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 2 Sub edition (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688176429
• ISBN-13: 978-0688176426
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #236,095 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Comprehensive Heart Book, July 20, 2000

By	paul_cheng "K.F." (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

There are quite a few books on this subject on the market and this one is the best. It covers almost everything you want to know about the human heart and the content is easy to read.

It is not aimed at the professionals only and layman like me can get to know how my heart works casually. It includes the mechanism of the heart, causes of various heart diseases/problems, symptoms, ways of treatment, heart health ...etc. Very comprehensive and well organised.

I would recommend this book to those who want to know more about our hearts.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Heart Book, July 12, 2000

By A Customer

This book has everything you want to know about the human heart. It includes how the heart works, factors affecting the heart's health, symptoms of Cardio Vascular Diseases, preventions, types of treatment . . .

If you or your love ones have CVD, this book can help to get a clear understanding of it. A very good source of information on the heart.

This is not a book for professionals only, anyone will enjoy reading it for good health.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nursing Students' Helpful Sidekick, May 4, 2000

By A Customer

As a nursing student who has a hard time completely understanding difficult text books, this book gave me a great head start for my studies. The Mayo Clinic Heart Book gives understandable yet detailed explainations that add structure and foundation for further education to build on. This book is excellent!