Clinical Cardiology Made Ridiculously Simple

This book is sure to be different from any you come across. It emphasizes a side of medicine that seems to have been forgotten - the old art, the relic stethoscope, the music of the heart, and the human touch. It stresses humanism and patient care - "hands before scans." The book is organized by the five finger approach, which includes the history (the thumb), physical examination, electrocardiogram, x-ray, and additional laboratory testing (the pinkie), which is not by coincidence the smallest finger. The uniqueness of the book comes from Dr. Chizner's writing style. He approaches challenging topics with simplicity and clarity and describes them to the fullest. This book has all the information you could possibly want on cardiology - how to read electrocardiograms, echocardiography, nuclear medicine, and cardiac catheterization. The newest edition even includes updated guidelines on both hypertension and cholesterol! All these chapters have organized tables, algorithms, and flow charts. For those preparing for boards, there is an amazing cardiovascular pharmacology chapter (antiarrhythmics, antiplatelet agents, etc.). It has drug mechanisms, clinical indications, and side effects. The second half of the book puts it all together, with chapters focusing on coronary artery disease, heart failure, acute pericarditis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and more. Everything is written from a clinician's perspective, discussing physical findings, appropriate testing, and management. It is easy to read and you will enjoy every page. But the special part of this book comes from the practical clinical knowledge, passed down through the generations. Dr. Chizner shares these valuable tricks of the trade or "cardiac pearls." I was introduced to the work of Dr. Chizner when I first started medical school. His books and articles had an enormous impact on me. I spoke with him many times over the phone and eventually decided to do an away rotation with him. My clinical experience with this master clinician was inspirational and uplifting. It is something I will never forget and hope to carry with me as I start residency. He taught through stories, as did his mentor Dr. W Proctor Harvey. Through those stories he brought to life clinical cardiology. Using our basic senses with the aid of the stethoscope and tuning in to the music of the heart can provide valuable clinical information. That is, if we decide to listen. Analogous to picking out instruments when listening to music, cardiac auscultation requires patience, selective tuning, and a love for the art. This is the "fun part of medicine." Dr. Harvey defined a cardiac pearl as a fact or finding that either makes a diagnosis or provides a clue that leads to the diagnosis. Like a pearl, it does not lose its luster over time. It is just as helpful today as it was 40 years ago. Dr. Chizner continues the tradition of Dr. Harvey. He is an intermix of a cardiologist - carrying the torch forward for the advancements in diagnostic and therapeutics against heart disease while staying rooted in the art of bedside cardiology. I had a unique opportunity to learn about the lyrics, rhythm, and music of the heart. Trust your ears! They are better than any test.

Dr. Chizner’s passion for cardiology and for teaching the next generation of medicine is demonstrated throughout this book. I am extremely honored to have had learned under such a legend in cardiology. I know that the way I approach medicine has forever changed due to his teachings and his wisdom, and for that I am forever grateful. This cardiology book has everything you need. It is filled with fundamental knowledge that is needed for every healthcare provider. It is presented in a way that makes it easy to understand. The physical exam, which is such a vital part of diagnosing a patient, can often be overlooked in today’s practice. Dr. Chizner emphasizes the importance of a thorough clinical history and conducting a proper physical exam in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Another portion that is invaluable is the heart sounds and images. This is a great tool that allows you to understand and recognize the cardiac sounds through patient recordings paired with his own explanations. Dr. Chizner has left his mark on cardiology and the future generations with this book.

I wanted to take a moment to write a review not necessarily solely for this book, but of the incredible author, Dr. Michael A. Chizner. I am a third year medical student, and I was blessed to have Dr. Chizner as my preceptor for my cardiology rotation. To say this simply, Dr. Chizner was one of the most informative and caring teachers I have ever had. He personally would sit with us students and teach us the ways of cardiology. He explained challenging concepts in a way that us medical novices could grasp. With impressive talent, he demonstrated vocally an array of sounds associated with a variety of valvular and muscular heart conditions. It was from this book, Clinical Cardiology made ridiculously simple, that Dr. Chizner would read and further explain many common and uncommon cardiology facts and findings. I had previously struggled with a multitude of topics within the cardiovascular realm, but even within my initial week with Dr. Chizner, many of the elements that were lost to me became quite clear. Dr. Chizner’s teachings further extended into the exam room, where his bedside manners and empathy for patients was unmatched. Expertly, he could diagnose a range of cardiac conditions with stethoscope and mind alone. Despite his brilliance, he never flaunted his abilities. He only sought to share what he kept dear in his heart, mind, and soul: the scientific and artistic teachings of Dr. W Proctor Harvey, his former teacher. Words alone cannot describe how grateful I am to have had this experience with Dr. Chizner. I only hope that as future students or readers of his book, that you come to appreciate the magnitude of learning you will undoubtedly experience. Thank you Dr. Michael A. Chizner, for all that you do. Your student, Evan M. Dilican

I am not sure how to rate this. I was looking for something I could read in an afternoon. This is a substantial book. It is 350 8.5x11 pages of small print. I have read the intro and the first few pages from many chapters. It is well written and very informative. While the concepts are "ridiculously simple" there are lots and lots of them.

Good grounding & educational resource for students. Have used it to explain/advise same on specific conditions/procedures. Would refer to others for this purpose.

Excelente. Didático e gostoso de ler

I found this very useful as a nursing student working on a cardiology floor and with a strong interest in cardiology. Well-organized into easy-to-use chapters and sections. Very well-rounded and relatively simplified while still being technical enough to keep it compact. It has a goofy cover which is a little unappealing for me, but the content clicks for me so it’s worth it.

Best book for cardiology 😇😇 ,give me confidence in my practice.

There are two editions of this work. The big format is for professionals. The smaller one is sufficient for a non specialist.