Yale University School of Medicine Heart Book (Repost)

While those individuals at risk or who already have heart disease would benefit greatly from this comprehensive volume, any person with an interest in learning about the heart and its connection to other systems in the body will find this book fascinating and highly informative. It is written at a fairly high educational level but incorporates medical terms with their definitions in such a way that it is very readable, both in format and content. Divided into six sections, this comprehensive work covers the heart and its function, discusses ways to lower one's risk of heart disease, and explains how diagnoses are made. It also includes an Encyclopedia of Common Heart Disorders that lists major cardiovascular disorders and treatments, and special sections on women, different ethnic and racial groups, and age groupings. Charts and tables abound, including ways to rate one's own heart risk and advice on changing to a healthier lifestyle. This book not only tells the reader what to change but also details how to do it. However, it skims over the emotional aspects of heart disease and should have done more with patients' rights and responsibilities. But in all other aspects, it is the most in-depth, comprehensive lay text this reviewer has ever seen.