Presents an overview of medical and psychosocial aspects of heart transplantation, with a focus on the program at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. Describes social workers' interventions which help patients and families to achieve optimal psychosocial functioning before and after transplantation. (Author/ABL)

A pilot study testing the feasability of using the Reflotron blood analyzer for cholestrol screening in the school environment found that the instrument was easy to use and inexpensive. Its quick results allowed for immediate counseling and referral. (CB)

Interviewed heart attack victims (N=287) seven weeks and eight years after their attack. Explored interrelations among causal attributions for the attack, survivor morbidity, and heart attack recurrence. Found that patients who cited benefits from their misfortune seven weeks after the first attack were less likely to have another attack and had…

Studied male smokers (N=182) at high risk of coronary heart disease to determine variables that discriminated between successful and nonsuccessful quitters. Analysis revealed that baseline level of smoking, life events, personal security, and selected group process variables were predictive of success or failure in the intervention program.…

The park and recreation profession can make a major contribution to the improvement and maintenance of the physical and mental health of community members through a training program for cardiac wellness. The Cardiac Wellness Training Project, designed to help park and recreation professionals develop cardiac prevention and rehabilitation programs,…

Type A behavior, also known as coronary prone behavior, should be identified in children as its lack of treatment could lead to coronary disease and death if the child continues the behavior into adulthood. (CJ)

Problems encountered by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructors are discussed and some possible solutions to these problems are suggested. Management techniques for effective use of class size, time, and instructional materials are described. (JN)

An apparently healthy college football player died from an apparent cardiac arrythmia following a workout. An autopsy revealed that he had undiagnosed mitral valve prolapse syndrome. (CJ)

Reviewed prevalence data on health parameters for football officials, noting outcomes when screening criteria were applied in preseason exams. Referees had a lower risk than the national 10-year coronary heart disease risk but a higher risk compared with that of the low-risk population. Results suggested that more graded exercise testing was…

A survey of nursing students at the University of the West of England revealed a need to improve practical cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills. Compulsory training was implemented, partly funded by providing basic life support training to the general public. (SK)

Measured heart rate reactivity of typical sample of male undergraduates. Found cardiac reactivity of undergraduate males in response to a stressor task was not a function of success at or familiarity with task but was more likely an outcome of genetic factors. (Author/ABL)

Clinical investigations have established that an aggressive approach to lowering cholesterol levels in coronary heart disease patients is warranted. This article describes optimal goals and discusses the role of diet, exercise, and medication in plasma lipids management. (IAH)