The Encyclopedia of the Heart and Heart Disease, Second Edition

The Encyclopedia of the Heart and Heart Disease, Second Edition
by Otelio S., Randall, Nathan M., Segerson, Deborah S. Romaine
Hardcover: 392 pages
Published: November 2010
ISBN-10: 0816077517
ISBN-13: 978-0816077519

This title is an excellent addition to the Facts On File Library of Health and Living providing a brief foundation for laypersons to understand health and disease of the heart. As heart disease is the cause of more than one-third of all deaths in this country, the title is a must in most libraries. It provides easy-to-understand information on symptoms, treatments, and causes.

More than 900 entries cover prescription and nonprescription drugs used for heart health, important figures in heart research, and illnesses of the heart and surrounding areas. There are articles on smoking, alcohol, physical fitness, biofeedback, nutrition, and other human activities that affect heart health. Articles on eating disorders, diabetes, AIDS, and stroke discuss the effect various conditions and illnesses have on the heart. People from Rene Laennec, inventor of the stethoscope, to Robert Jarvik, inventor of the artificial heart, are profiled.

Articles are brief, and medical terminology is either explained thoroughly or simplified to increase understanding by the lay reader. Cross-references and see also references are used liberally to direct the reader to appropriate articles. Appendixes provide a list of organizations, common abbreviations, and a series of diagrams from the publisher's Human Body on File: Physiology. The bibliography is divided into clinical texts, books for general readers, and articles. Overall, this title adds to the well-received series and stands on its own as a solid tool for consumer medical collections.