The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery

by Adam Pick, Lynne Talbot (Illustrator)

Each year, over 250,000 heart valve repair and heart valve replacement operations are performed for conditions including stenosis, prolapse, insufficiency, aneurysm, Tetralogy of Fallot and regurgitation. As a result, patients experience several different types of cardiac bypass surgery including aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair and the Ross Procedure. HOWEVER... DID YOU KNOW?In a 2007 survey, the majority of former heart valve surgery patients interviewed stated that their expectations were "mismanaged - both before and after surgery." AND... DID YOU KNOW? In that same study, most heart valve surgery patients noted that recovering from cardiac surgery was "more difficult than expected." The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery was written by Adam Pick, a double heart valve surgery patient, to address these troubling issues and prepare both patients and their caregivers for the challenges and opportunities of valve surgery - from diagnosis through recovery. The book is intended for patients needing heart valve repair or heart valve replacement surgeries (e.g. mitral valve repair, aortic valve replacement, tricuspid valve repair, pulmonary valve replacement). Ultimately, this unique book was created to help YOU minimize the stress of heart valve surgery and enhance the patient's recovery. As of today, The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery has been read by thousands of patients and caregivers in over 35 countries around the world. Dr. Marc Darrow, MD, UCLA School Of Medicine, recently noted about this special book, "If you require mitral valve replacement, aortic valve repair or any heart valve surgery, I strongly encourage patients and their caregivers to read this book!"

152 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2005

Reviews

[Monta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had my pulmonary valve replaced last year at 40 and although this author had a different valve replacement than me, I did find it helpful in details about recovery and information on what to expect. My recovery was extremely painful as this was my third open heart surgery since birth but it is always comforting to read his helpful hints and answers.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of practical and relevant before, during, and after information for a patient undergoing an open-heart valve replacement or a caregiver. Easy to read and digestible content. Great reference! Highly recommended!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. Has given me several great suggestions and ideas of how to approach my coming surgery.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you or anyone you know is going to have heart valve surgery, I cannot recommend this book enough. Adam Pick takes you through step by step what happens and takes the fear and unknown out of what can be a very scary subject. I've lost count how many times I've referred back to this book during my mother's surgery and recovery. So incredibly helpful!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book within 24 hours. With anyone who is facing heart surgery or has gone through it this book will cause a range of emotions. It was helpful to read through the author's experience.

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

So i was given this book free and since it was in the vicinity, i read it. Being someone no where near the needs of this book, neither I or anyone I know need Heart Valve replacement, I can only give it 2 stars. This is just a reflection of its usefulness to me personally. But it was enjoyable enough to read that despite having no connection to the topic, I still finished it. Skimming just a few pages. What I looked forward to were Adam's personal stories on the topic. It felt a little unprofessional, but that may be a strong point. Adam isn't a professional writer and this is a self-published book so that was to be expected. It reads more like a workbook than a memoir which is interesting. It reminds me a bit of the Head First series (which I'm reading the javascript one again) in it's topography treatment and intent.

[Adam Pick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can imagine that you, or someone you care for, is considering or recovering from heart valve repair or heart valve replacement.

[Conor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good stuff, but it seems like this was a rush job of a book. Obviously this has a specialized audience, one that I wish I were not in!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been so helpful to me. Thank you Adam.

[Randa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly Helpful to those facing Heart Surgery!

[Rangies3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful