The purpose of this book, 100 Questions & Answers About Heart Attack and Related Cardiac Problems, is to describe for you the most commonly asked 100 questions regarding a heart attack. The book uses a commonsense approach with simple explanations so that you will be able to understand and identify easily the issues associated with heart diseases. The best way to reach that goal is through concise questions and answers.
This book describes every aspect of a heart attack, including all other medical problems that are associated with heart diseases. It includes details about coronary risk factors (factors that act to cause a heart attack), warning signs, common and uncommon symptoms, diagnostic tests, complications, and management. In addition, you can find details of various therapy methods: artificial pacemakers, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), coronary bypass surgery, and implants of automatic defibrillators. As you read the questions and answers, these terms will provide you with a much clearer understanding of heart diseases and will give you the necessary tools to discuss your health with your physician.
A unique feature of this book is a summary of a candid conversation with a patient who recovered from a heart attack (Question 90). Also, the book stresses various practical and educational points as follows: What to do when a heart attack is suspected; how to prevent a heart attack; and how to live after recovering from a heart attack.
I sincerely hope that 100 Questions & Answers About Heart Attack and Related Cardiac Problems will be a most useful, practical, and educational guide as you seek a healthy life for many years to come.
I express my sincere appreciation to my daughter-in-law, Sue H. Chung, for her valuable editorial assistance in completing this book. In addition, I express my deep appreciation to Mr. Christopher Davis, Executive Publisher, Medicine, of Jones and Bartlett Publishers, for the publication of this book. I thank Ms. Elizabeth Platt, Special Projects Editor, of Jones and Bartlett Publishers for her skillful editing of the manuscript. Last, I will always owe deep gratitude and appreciation to my late father, Dr. Il-Chun Chung, who has always provided guidance and inspiration for me.
This book is dedicated to my wife, Lisa; to my children, Linda and Christopher; to my son-in-law, James, and daughter-in-law, Sue; and to my grandchildren, Nicholas, Jacqueline, and Olivia.
Edward K. Chung,MD
Windermere, Florida
