Dr. Sandeep Jauhar, the author of Heart: a History, lives a complete life of following his heart. He not only does this through his future plans, but by also looking deeply into his past. Jauhar’s paternal grandfather died from a heart attack at the age of 57; his maternal grandfather at the age of 83. With a long family history of heart disease, it did not come as a surprise when he himself was struck with the news of a malfunction in the main artery feeding to his heart: it had a “30 to 50 percent obstruction near the opening and a 50 percent blockage in the midportion.” Jauhar always had an “obsession” for the human heart and did not seem to be fazed by these obstacles. As a physician, he continued to search pathways through the heart in order to better understand its mysteries. Jauhar makes a thorough connection between the metaphorical heart and the actual heart “machine.” Phrases such as: “having a change of heart,'' “wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve,” “breaking a heart,” and “speaking from one’s heart” are all a part of using this organ as an emotion or action. He explains that, for a very long time, most people believed that emotions originate in the heart. Therefore, they also believed that if someone’s heart were to be replaced, that person would no longer be able to love. Jauhar explains that even though this theory faded as more research was conducted, the metaphors have not ceased to continue. He also discusses various studies conducted that affirm the fact that emotions have a true effect on the heart. This very informative book compiles a multitude of information in such a way that I was not only able to easily learn new things, but also think about previously known information in a new way — I assure you it is not an encyclopedia. He presents different discoveries of the heart in chronological order and follows each one with a detailed story. By doing this, I was able to better imagine the challenges of the particular scenario at hand. The practices and procedures that a doctor or surgeon performs now are much different than those of the past. Like Dr. Jauhar, I too have various family members with heart diseases. It was fascinating to learn about the history of many procedures that they went through. The numerous findings of the heart are incredible and, by reading this book, I would like to conclude that each one, big or small, significant or insignificant, deserves a celebration. Heart: a History allowed me to imagine myself in an operation room with my hands elbow deep in a mystery that, if solved, could change the future. It helped me to have a much more solid understanding of how greatly the medical field has grown, specifically in cardiology. One day, I hope to have such a collection of stories of my own that I must write a book as did Sandeep Jauhar.
Jauhar makes a thorough connection between the metaphorical heart and the actual heart “machine.” Phrases such as: “having a change of heart,'' “wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve,” “breaking a heart,” and “speaking from one’s heart” are all a part of using this organ as an emotion or action. He explains that, for a very long time, most people believed that emotions originate in the heart. Therefore, they also believed that if someone’s heart were to be replaced, that person would no longer be able to love. Jauhar explains that even though this theory faded as more research was conducted, the metaphors have not ceased to continue. He also discusses various studies conducted that affirm the fact that emotions have a true effect on the heart.
This very informative book compiles a multitude of information in such a way that I was not only able to easily learn new things, but also think about previously known information in a new way — I assure you it is not an encyclopedia. He presents different discoveries of the heart in chronological order and follows each one with a detailed story. By doing this, I was able to better imagine the challenges of the particular scenario at hand. The practices and procedures that a doctor or surgeon performs now are much different than those of the past. Like Dr. Jauhar, I too have various family members with heart diseases. It was fascinating to learn about the history of many procedures that they went through. The numerous findings of the heart are incredible and, by reading this book, I would like to conclude that each one, big or small, significant or insignificant, deserves a celebration.
Heart: a History allowed me to imagine myself in an operation room with my hands elbow deep in a mystery that, if solved, could change the future. It helped me to have a much more solid understanding of how greatly the medical field has grown, specifically in cardiology. One day, I hope to have such a collection of stories of my own that I must write a book as did Sandeep Jauhar.