While You Quit: A Smoker's Guide to Reducing the Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke.

This is an excellent book not only for smokers but for anyone concerned about and/or interested in cardiovascular health. It is well constructed, the language is accessible, and the main points are presented in a straightforward and well-illustrated manner.

While You Quit is built around the story of a patient who is a lifelong smoker with no interest in quitting, and who has a family history of heart disease. The author uses this device to illustrate the major causes of cardiovascular risk (besides smoking) and offer prescriptions for reducing these risks for smokers and non-smokers alike.

The book begins with a talk about predicting risk for vascular disease and ends with a discussion about nicotine addiction. In between, the book focuses on explaining the mechanisms of certain risk factors for cardiovascular disease and how they can be controlled: high blood pressure, sleep deprivation, poor oral hygiene, abdominal obesity, and bad cholesterol are all touched upon. The benefits of Aspirin, the limitations of angiography, and the importance of exercise are also part of the discussion.

The author has included a simplified cross-section of a blood vessel that is used to illustrate the factors that affect cardiovascular risk, which is particularly useful for understanding some of the more technical explanations. Also useful are the various charts and diagrams for comparing and contrasting the risks and benefits of various approaches to tackling cardiovascular disease and illustrating the benefits of smoking cessation.

At the end of the book is a section with references from each chapter, recommended resources (books and Internet), and an index. My one complaint is that the chapter headings are obtuse and would not aid a first-time reader in identifying the information to be found in them.

I do not smoke, but I finished this book with a sense of urgency about improving my cardiovascular health because the book so clearly illustrates why it is important for wellness. While You Quit is a must-read not only for smokers but for anyone interested in long-term cardiovascular health.