Preventive cardiology: a practical manual. Catriona Jennings, Alison Mead, Jennifer Jones, et al. Oxford: Oxford Medical Press, 2009 (xvi + 218 pp). ISBN: 978 0 19 923630 5.

While cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the predominant cause of death in our society, books on the topic will continue to find interest in the market, particularly those on preventive cardiology. Relatively few books on prevention, however, are written for health professionals by health professionals. Preventive cardiology: a practical manual, by a group of seven authors, addresses cardiovascular risk management and lifestyle factor assessment and application, for the benefit of and use by health professionals.

The authors include representatives of nursing, dietetics, physiotherapy, physical activity and cardiology, so Preventive cardiology provides a uniquely holistic overview. With this multidisciplinary approach, the authors deal with both the assessment of risk factors and the application of findings in the management of patients with cardiovascular risk factors.

One of the strengths of this book is its fundamental family-oriented approach. In a clear and concise manner, the authors address the main issues of identifying and treating patients with CVD risk factors, and provide a guide for health professionals in their work of identifying, assessing, treating and managing patients/clients at high risk, and steering them and their families through appropriate programs.

The book covers all the usual topics of diet, smoking cessation, risk assessment, physical activity, identification of asymptomatic patients, blood pressure, lipid and glucose management, compliance, and so on. More importantly, it aims to assist the health professional team in getting such vital information lucidly and comprehensively across to patients and their families in a way that is most likely to be of practical benefit.

The book comes in a pocket-sized format for easy access, and can be regarded as a ready companion and consistent helper for the cardiovascular professional.