Book Review: What Is a Pacemaker? by Jeffrey L. Williams, M.D, M.S.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it. The book itself has a disclaimer reminding the reader that it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
As the number of people surviving to the age where they might need a pacemaker increases, the need for material explaining just what a pacemaker is and does, and the benefits and dangers of the technology, has grown. Dr. Williams has decided to go beyond the usual pamphlet approach to give a fuller overview of the subject.
Sections of the book include a refresher on how the heart operates normally, why one might need a pacemaker, the technology involved, pre- and-post-operation care, the implantation procedure, and the possible complications that can result. I’d have liked a brief history of pacemaker development, but it’s not relevant medical information. Most of the questions a potential pacemaker user or their caretakers might have are answered. At times, the medical jargon does get a bit thick, but most of the relevant terms are explained when they come up and there is also a glossary.
There’s a list of reliable internet sites on this and related subjects, plus a list of the references used if you are a bit more research oriented and want to follow up. The index is very basic, but it’s a short well-organized book. Illustrations are in black and white, and relevant to the topic.
The primary market for this book is people who are likely to need pacemakers in the near future, but I suspect the primary buyers will be hospitals and medical facilities to give said patients. As the book itself emphasizes, be sure to follow up any questions you have with your own physician–there’s no substitute for hands-on medical care. Still, this book is very informative, and I recommend it as a first stop.
