Heart Disease: Treatment

As with the other titles in the Heart Disease series from Apogee (including Heart Disease: Prevention, reviewed in VL-7/06), this two-disc set features interviews with those who have survived life-threatening attacks from heart disease, as well as those who've saved lives. Viewers have the choice of watching medically graphic (showing surgery and real-life EMT responses) or edited versions (which provides an effective option for those who want to learn more about heart disease treatment but are understandably squeamish). The city of Boulder, CO is held up as an example of a locale that is chockfull of fit citizens who regularly exercise and eat right, yet still has victims of heart disease due to genetic predispositions. Watching Heart Disease: Treatment feels like having an extensive private visit with a group of doctors passionate about treating this leading cause of death in the U.S., with topics covered including the simple effectiveness of aspirin as a treatment, the importance of quick response, pre-hospital care from EMTs, angioplasty, stenting, implantable defibrillators, cardiac and bypass surgery, and the responsibilities of patients on the road to recovery. An encompassing and timely medical guide perfectly suited for consumer health collections, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)