Heart Care for Life

February 1, 2006
Heart disease continues to be a preventable plague in the American population, with one of every five individuals suffering from some form of cardiovascular disease. Zaret (medicine & radiology, Yale Univ. Sch. of Medicine) and Stein (director of preventive cardiology, Beth Israel Medical Ctr., NY) have each written books that stress patient responsibility in understanding and maintaining one's own heart health. In "Heart Care", Zaret, whose coauthor, Subak-Sharpe, has produced or collaborated on more than 40 health and medicine books, stresses that a personalized plan adapted to an individual's preferences and lifestyle is critical to success. Warning against making many changes at once, he advises on exercise, diet, psychological factors, and smoking cessation. A broad overview of tests and treatments for common heart conditions, including benefits and disadvantages, is offered. Alternative treatments are briefly covered, as are heart disease in special populations (e.g., women, the elderly, minority ethnic groups, young athletes) and advances in medical devices, therapies, and procedures.

In "Outliving", Stein underscores the new medical research that has improved available treatments for heart disease, challenging readers to become knowledgeable about their health. Chapters offer one of ten -New Rules - to beat heart disease, starting with discovering whether one already has it. Throughout, evidence-based studies are interspersed with Stein's recommendations for lifestyle changes. Readers will also learn about risk assessments; tests and treatments; exercise, diet, and the mind-body connection; and clinical studies on alternative and complementary therapies. Questions that patients should ask their doctors and tips on partnering with the medical team are excellent; Stein's description of how heart disease develops is enlightening. Both books contain valuable, current, evidence-based information, although Stein's volume is more personal and features more concrete advice. Both are recommended for larger libraries." -Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans' Hosp. Lib., Tampa"

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.