Best cardiology books according to redditors

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but I'm fairly certain this is textbook A-flutter with variable AV conduction. I use the term AV conduction rather that AV Block, because according to Marriott's, the term "block" implies dysfunction of the AV node, which is not the case here. The AV node is functioning in its protective role by withholding extra impulses from over stimulating the ventricles. The Atrial rate is 220 with a ventricular rate of 100. I've marked the flutter waves here.

Edited to be sure people look further down in this comment chain for a couple of better explanations than mine.
Special thanks to /u/ERdoc987, and /u/MedlifeCrisis for their clarifications!

Everyone is going to say Dubin's, but The Only EKG Book You'll Ever Need is very good as well. Both are introductory EKG books. I skimmed Dubin's at first along with 90% of my classmates, but I ended up ditching it because the organization wasn't very good and the explanations left something to be desired. You should check your library to see if you can compare them.

This is crazy, but reading a story in Heart Healers gives it some context. In the 1940s/50s, rheumatic heart disease and mitral valve disease was common, and lethal, with no cure. A surgeon started trying to operate on these patients by putting a purse string suture in the left atria, cutting it, and then ramming a finger through the mitral valve to open it up. He killed 4 patients in a row, and was about to be run out of Philadelphia. He even once got a patient's primary care physician to declare a patient legally dead so he wouldn't be held responsible when his surgical attempt likely killed the patient- didn't work, everyone was still furious. He finally scheduled two patients in the same day at different hospitals, on the grounds that if he killed the morning patient, the other hospital wouldn't hear about it in time to stop him from operating. He did kill the morning patient, but the 30 something year old woman in the afternoon became the first survivor of mitral valve finger commisurotomy, and Dr. Charles Bailey went down in history as the world's first cardiac surgeon.

This act was quite reckless, and insane. But it had a purpose- it wasn't accupunture or some other snake oil meant to treat hysteria. We do what we do today because of similarly reckless acts that hurt a lot of patients, but ultimately benefited billions more.

Try LITFL's ECG basics, and Maven should keep you in sinus once the basics set in.

There's also this book which is great for the basics, but I'd say LITFL does a great job.

---
edit: typo

I tried Dubin's, did not like it that much. Much more preferred Malcolm Thaler's book, was super useful during a cardiology elective I did.

https://www.amazon.ca/Only-Book-Youll-Ever-Need/dp/1451193947/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478375011&sr=1-1&keywords=the+only+ekg+book+you%27ll+ever+need

Edit: Also, Life in the Fast Lane (EM/Crit Care-oriented blog) has a massive set of ECG cases and examples to go through for specific conditions.

The book by Fogoros is the standard.

Electrophysiologic Testing (Fogoros, Electrophysiologic Testing) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0470674237/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_K3r.tb1A2F8PY

The Heart Healers - great book about the history of cardiology
[Link.] (https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Healers-Mavericks-Greatest-Breakthrough/dp/1250058392/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505426456&sr=8-1&keywords=heart+healers)

Videos: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/health-and-medicine/circulatory-system

Books: http://www.cvphysiology.com, https://www.amazon.com/Only-Book-Youll-Ever-Thaler/dp/1451193947/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PVZK7GHPGGQXBP2ME4MB (if you Google it you can find a PDF...) and/or https://www.amazon.com/Physiology-STUDENT-CONSULT-Online-Costanzo/dp/145570847X

This is RIDICULOUSLY good. So easy, intuitive and progressing!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-ECG-Made-Easy-8e/dp/0702046418

Dubin's is probably going to be the most popular suggestion, but I'm going to offer a dissenting voice. Dubin is a great first step, but in my opinion the way it's taught focuses too heavily on rote memorization to develop pattern recognition, and not enough on what the pathology is behind certain patterns. Raj Anand's A Practical Approach to EKG Interpretation goes more into the physiology and pathology that causes EKGs. The first half of the book is all about systematically reading EKGs, the second half is several dozen EKGs, presented initially with a step-wise explanation that decreases as time goes on. Eventually all you have is the EKG and the answer (don't look before hand!). I also like Anand's book because his method of determining the QRS axis is superior and far quicker than to other methods, I have found.

If you're also looking for free materials, [ECGpedia.org] (http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page) is a wiki on EKGs and has some good explanations of tracings, although they don't have the greatest sample EKGs to show pathology. ECG Maven, put out by Harvard Medical School, is a good place to cut your teeth afterwards on EKGs with varying difficulties. Just make sure you click to see high resolution images because the resolution is terrible on the initial images. Finally Life in the Fast Lane has some good example EKGs, and their approach is somewhere between Dubin and Anand's.

Not an RT, but CVT here. I just finished 2 years of school (1 year of clinicals) specifically to learn cath lab stuff and I STILL feel overwhelmed. Don't get down on yourself, it takes a long time. Everybody I know says 1-2 years before you're comfortable.

If you haven't read or looked at it yet, I HIGHLY recommend this book by Kern. Easy to understand and good pictures.

Richard Fogoros has a couple books that are good for general knowledge of electrophysiology and antiarrhythmic drugs

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0470674237/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418841372&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1405163518/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1418841372&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

Murgatroyd is one of my favorites, but it's more directed for an EP lab setting.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1901346374/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418841501&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

And if you want to go higher detail, Issa is what I go to

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1455712744/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418841593&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

https://www.cvphysiology.com

This website is really useful for all things cardiology. Basically a textbook and pretty in-depth but all inclusive. We used this as my school(not the school the author is from) and most lectures were based on it. Really well done for understanding I thought. Didn’t even have to really study cardio that much for step 1. There’s a lot of info there so if it’s too much you can always just use it to dig deeper into what you’re struggling with.

While not free, I thought this book was fantastic for EKG’s: https://www.amazon.com/Only-Book-Youll-Ever-Need/dp/1496377230/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541210064&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=the+only+ekg+book+you%27ll+ever+need&psc=1

I still reference it regularly during rotations and learned really well from the book how to get a system down for systematically reading ekg’s and what to look for.

Hope either of these might help!

> The way you talk about the lipids is the way doctors talk about lipids without considering these as average numbers on a SAD diet while if you are on this reddit I would expect you know the science behind it and would understand that this is not a lipid that leads to health.

Funny because one of the references I have on my desk right now has a decidedly different take. Cholesterol (part of circulating lipids) can get oxidized in the intima of the arterial wall and that causes plaques/heart disease.

With a 56 HDL, his reverse cholesterol transport must be rather high. With the rest of his lipid numbers, I would guess his actual risk is low, but again -- it's premature to say and a CAC scan and advanced lipid panel would be more instructive.

> Let me clarify why I stated "confusion, doubt, uncertainty".

His blood sugar numbers were excellent. When a person has a 70-80 blood sugar level, who thinks the person needs to change their diet? Those are the glucose numbers of an 18 year old kid. It was prior to this person disclosing their weight.

You said his lipids were terrible. On what basis and what studies are you using to make such an extreme statement?

I stand by my comments and disagree with your supposition.

https://www.amazon.com/Cardiac-Catheterization-Handbook-Morton-MSCAI/dp/0323340393/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1536618435&sr=8-3&keywords=cardiac+catherization+handbook

This book is a great place to start. Your background will help you tremendously but be prepared to feel like you have no idea what is happening for a little while. There is a lot of equipment and supplies that are foreign to us ER transplants, but with a little time it all starts to make sense.

https://www.amazon.com/Cardiovascular-Care-Made-Incredibly-Easy/dp/1451188846

Very good resource

Electrophyslogic Testing by Richard Fogoros

https://www.amazon.com/Electrophysiologic-Testing-Richard-N-Fogoros/dp/0470674237

https://www.amazon.com/Electrophysiologic-Testing-Fourth-Richard-Fogoros/dp/1405104783/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7J5MS6B697Q93D9H7417

Great book for a budding EP staff member. A used 4th edition for cheap would probably be fine.

IBHRE Exam resources

http://pacericd.com/ibhre.htm (free)

http://atischool.org/product-category/books/(pricey books, make your hospital pay for them!)

Heart Rhythm Society (hrsonline.org) is one of the bigger societies related to EP.

eplqbdigest.com is a free resource/news magazine website. Signing up for the monthly printed magazine is free.

ECG

http://ecg.utah.edu/

http://lifeinthefastlane.com/author/edward-burns/

This one is great for beginners: http://www.amazon.com/Only-Book-Youll-Ever-Need/dp/1451119054

More clinical: http://www.amazon.com/Chous-Electrocardiography-Clinical-Practice-Pediatric/dp/1416037748/ref=sr_1_17?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419552313&sr=1-17&keywords=EKG+textbook

The best option is this book(i read it on an ipad, does that count?)

the only ekg book you'll ever need

I know youre not after a book, but this is written in a fun way, i accidentally read the whole thing..

Not sure if you are going to get open heart surgical patients, but by far the best book related to a cardiac ICU is Bojar.

It has a large focus on surgical patients, but goes into detail that would be applicable for regular cardiac ICU patients. Really good book that we reference a lot on our unit. It contains everything from basic cardiac ICU stuff to very specific situational things like hooking a 12 lead EKG directly to temporary pacer wires

Grab this book by Bojar.

I had to purchase this book for my coronary care course. I'm not usually a fan of assigned reading material, but this book actually explains things really clearly. It goes over the steps involved in obtaining and interpreting rhythm strips, all your major arrhythmias, treatments, and the 12-lead ECG.

As far as rhythms, the bare minimum you should be able to recognize (at least by the time you're caring for basic tele patients): normal sinus, sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, afib, PVCs, vtach, vfib, asystole (imo these are the most common and/or the most recognizable). You should know what PQRST represents. How to determine heart rate, PR interval, and QRS duration, and what are the normal values. Knowing when a strip is showing an ominous rhythm vs. simply artifact. Also doesn't hurt to go over normal cardiac anatomy and physiology.

FYI my nursing school taught me nothing about tele, it was all self-taught via the above textbook + online post-graduate coronary care courses. I needed to submit a passing grade to my place of employment before I was allowed to care for tele patients. Maybe your hospital has a similar policy?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ECG-Made-Easy-8e/dp/0702046418

The Bible

These: http://www.amazon.co.uk/ECG-Pocketcard-Borm-Bruckmeier-Publishing/dp/159103003X/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343109573&sr=8-1-fkmr0

I have the book Rapid Interpretation of EKG's it definitely starts with basics, but the format just didn't do it for me.

I much prefer the book ECG Workout it is basic but explains very well and has amazing practice problems, hundreds of them. Previous editions are nearly the same and can be found for very little money.

And if you are interested in critical care, start learning your pharmacology, start learning how to monitor patients and recognize their pathophysiology. Learn about shock states and interventions. Take ACLS and really absorb the material, learn the drugs (and maybe your hospital will pay for the class). Use your resources.

https://litfl.com/

https://www.aacn.org/education/publications/ajcc

https://www.aacn.org/education/publications/ccn

https://www.amazon.com/Critical-Care-Nursing-Made-Incredibly/dp/1496306937/ref=zg_bs_689795011_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=0607QMDKFN47CT1WW80V

https://www.amazon.com/Hemodynamic-Monitoring-Made-Incredibly-Visual/dp/1496306996/ref=zg_bs_689795011_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=0607QMDKFN47CT1WW80V

https://www.aacn.org/store/books/400820/aacn-commonly-used-iv-cardiac-medications-for-adults-pocket-reference-card

Great online tool
http://www.skillstat.com/tools/ecg-simulator

For more advanced knowledge-this book is literally the only EKG book you'll ever need!
https://www.amazon.com/Only-Book-Youll-Ever-Thaler-ebook/dp/B00RM4T1ZM

I did a majority of my self learning through the text books, and supplemented with mybrady, medic tests, and a couple of more advanced books like https://www.amazon.com/Only-Book-Youll-Ever-Need/dp/1496377230/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TN54Z1Z7N1PFDTFSKWFY

And for quick study I used this
https://www.amazon.com/Paramedic-Crash-Course-Online-Practice/dp/0738612464/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=paramedic+prep&qid=1574426568&sprefix=paramedic+prwp&sr=8-4

While free almost always seems better, I really like this book. Divided into chapters where it briefly reviews electrophysiology, then presents multiple examples. Left side of page is ekgs without any comments, then the right side of the page shows you what you should have noticed and the underlying rhythm, etc. The new edition comes with an ebook too, you may find the first edition for cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/Visual-Guide-ECG-Interpretation/dp/1496321537

> This is what gave me that idea.

I can see where the confusion arose. The operative word in that sentence was synchronized. You don't give people unsynchronized shocks, I didn't mean to imply that default treatment for VT is cardioversion.

> If you are segregating tachycardias purely by their anatomical source, sure. Most cardiologists, intensivists, and physicians I know use the term "SVT" to refer specifically to paroxysmal SVT, and use the more specific names of the other "supraventricular" tachycardias when discussing them to avoid confusion.

Maybe this is a regional thing as I'm not in the US, but that is not a common term here.

I looked into it, this is what Braunwald has to say:
>Tachyarrhythmias are boardly characterized as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), defined as a tachycardia in which the driving circuit or focus originates, at least in part, in tissue above the level of the ventricle [..] and ventricular tachycardia (VT)

Which is more or less literally what I told you before. Neither paroxysmal SVT nor PSVT are mentioned.

After some searching this guideline mentions the following definition:
> Episodes of regular and paroxysmal palpitations with sudden onset and termination (also referred to as PSVT)

So basically all SVT except for afib (although patients might not be able to distinguish regular and fast from irregular and fast).

> If I was trying to communicate to another physician that a patient has A fib, I wouldn't use the term SVT, that's just asking for trouble.

If I knew the diagnosis, I would just tell them the diagnosis.

>Lol, OK. I guess my lowly pediatrics training wasn't good enough to impress you, you mysterious heart expert.

Don't be butthurt when you're the one that brought it up. I didn't imply anything negative about pediatrics.

Netter cardiology is wonderful. It has great diagrams and is very complete, but can be difficult to get through if you want a primary resource.

If you are looking for a resource on cardiac pharmacology, I recommend Opie's Drugs for the Heart

Know you asked for links but this book
http://www.amazon.com/Only-Book-Youll-Ever-Need/dp/1451119054 is amazing. I learned all my foundation of ecg with this one. Highly recommend it

I have not read it but a lot of cardios recommended this when I was on rotation. So maybe it's worth checking out.

http://www.amazon.com/Only-Book-Youll-Ever-Need/dp/1451119054

>The vast majority of a CCT’s training is on lead II, so that’s where I focused.

Bahahahahaha!

So you are trained to interpret a single lead - ie a rhythm strip - so presumably you can spot elementary rhythm abnormalities and suggest to a nurse when they should maybe call a doctor? Good for you!

None of that qualifies you to opine on the OP's 12 lead ECG and it certainly doesn't qualify you to espouse entirely unfounded opinions on potassium homeostasis. If you think it does, then you do undoubtedly need more training, because - as the saying goes - a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

BTW the link was for your benefit, not mine. But the book below has served generations of medical students and would be a good intro to the 12-lead ECG for you.

Best wishes.

https://www.amazon.com/Made-Easy-John-Hampton-DPhil/dp/0702046418

A book called ECG's made easy is a great resource. Takes you through every step, then shows you examples of all you need to know. http://www.amazon.com/The-ECG-Made-Easy-8e/dp/0702046418/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1396159650&sr=8-5&keywords=ECG+made+easy

Cardiac Catheterization Handbook, 6e https://www.amazon.com/dp/0323340393/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CnpIAbP8VJ4WT

I like this book.

Know your cardiac meds (duh), anti-coags, vasoactives... pretty much the ones we use most.

Cummins is one of the biggest deniers in the scene. He has absolutely no idea. I already told you how it works. I also named you two books which are very good.

https://www.amazon.de/Clinical-Lipidology-Companion-Braunwalds-Disease/dp/0323287867/

https://www.amazon.de/Atlas-Atherosclerosis-Metabolic-Syndrome-Grundy/dp/1493940937/