Dr Bhalerao is reputed for his clinical skills, particularly his organized way of approaching a patient's problems. These facets are ably documented in this well-organized and eminently well-written book.

The conversational tone used in the book will be well appreciated by students. Reading about the right ventricular infarction syndrome, for example, is like stopping a seasoned attending cardiologist in the hallway, having him tell you, “RV infarct? Great case! Here's what you need to know about that…” Jay's enthusiasm for teaching comes across just like that. There is a tendency for young clinicians’ reviews to be surveys of clinical trial. That has its place, but you will find that cutting to the chase with “what you really have to know” is more efficient when you need to survey a big area of medicine in a relatively short time. This is not a reference manual to keep on the shelf, but rather it is designed to be read through, and in less than a fortnight.

The author of a brief but general text needs to make a judicious choice of what to include and what to leave out. Who better to make such decisions about relevance than a master clinician? Dr Bhalerao has provided an excellent answer to “what you should know” after a month in the cardiology service. A student who imbibes the material in this book will be well prepared to work as a resident on the cardiology service.

This book will be also a worthy read for residents and general physicians who are preparing for board or recertification exams. More than half of the ABIM board exam covers cardiac and vascular diseases. With this concise yet thorough review, medical resident will find themselves well prepared indeed!

Discipline of cardiovascular medicine is difficult and demanding. Understanding of basic principles is very essential because so much depend on this. Some old therapies and concepts are excluded so as not to dilute the message.

It is my sincere wish that reader would find this endeavor helpful.