Coronary-Disease Books

This collaboration by food writer, Page, cardiovascular specialist, Schroeder, M.D., and dietician Dickson, is simple: keep saturated fat to 25 grams per day and all fat to 75 or less.

The first half of the book describes the plan, and the reasoning behind it and offers quizzes and tables evaluating foods and lifestyle habits.

The system depends on what the authors call 'Fat Tracking,' becoming aware of fats and saturated fats in all the foods we eat. Numerous lists offer alternatives to high-fat foods (i.e., whole grain bread instead of croissant, Canadian bacon instead of regular, angelfood cake instead of donut. They explain the vital differences between oils and how to read labels in supermarkets, choose cuts of meat, and find high-fiber foods.

The second half consists of recipes from breakfast through dessert, with tips for preparation, variations and storage and nutrition information. Recipes include unusual dishes like Eggplant Caviar, Melon and Cucumber Soup, Corn and Polenta Souffle With Cilantro Cream; fat-reduced favorites like Lasagne, various pizzas, and Pork Roast With Prunes; and variations on traditional themes like Grilled Halibut with Tomato Salsa, London Broil Teriyaki, and Walnut Brownies, made with apple sauce and cocoa.

An excellent and informative program for good, healthy eating.

This book gives tremendous insight into the psycological causes and cures of excess stress in one's life. The depth of knowledge revealed requires multiple readings (would you believe studying) to fully absorb. Even after taking the one year long type A behavior reduction course given by the Meyer Friedman Institute I find previously un absorbed relevant information in this book during my on going re-readings. Meyer Friedman through this book has definitely helped me gain some control of my respopnse to stressful situations. Previous to my exposure to this book I did not know that I had elements of type A behavior. Now I understand how much type A behavior has affected my life, even though most people think that I am a very easy going person. The book explains how and why type A behavoir is self masking ( I have given copies of this book to two type A people I know and they both have not read it) and is so much broader in scope than the stereo typical image most people have of it. The cure and treatment section of the book is much more extensive and to the heart of the problem than the typical self help stress books that don't go much further than giving you a check list and telling you to "don't worry, be happy". The mental exercizes and drills detailed do redirect one's perspective which is listed as the real cause of type A response and the resulting stress induced in every body involved. My only aggravation with the type A behavior modification routine given in the book is that it takes too long.

From the Type A Behavior Test:
Do you have a habit of explosively accentuating key words in your ordinary speech and finishing your sentences in a burst of speed?
Do you always move, walk, eat rapidly?
Do you feel impatience with the rate at which most events take place? Do you find it difficult to restrain yourself from hurrying the speech of others?
Do you get unduly irritated at delay?
Does it bother you to watch someone else perform a task you know you can do faster?
Do you often try to do two things at once?
Do you always feel vaguely guilty when you relax and do absolutely nothing for several days or several hours?
If your answer to any of these questions is "YES" you may be falling into the dangerous type A pattern. You need to read this book, take the complete test and change your behvior to prolong your life.

The Way to a Healthy Heart introduces you to the Zero Heart Attack Path (ZHAP), an innovative, drug-free, scientifically designed package which helps you reverse heart diseases and prevent blockages in the heart. Based on the principle that a healthy mind and a healthy soul enhance the quality of life and improve the well-being of the body, ZHAP will help you realise that the power to keep the heart healthy lies in your own hands.
Free of medical jargon, this instructive book is your personal guide to how your heart functions, how it is affected by stress and a sedentary lifestyle and how you can keep it in perfect working condition. Offering a permanent cure for heart diseases, it recommends:
* Reduction of stress and creation of positive emotional fields
* Simple Yoga exercises, meditation and ayuverdic cures
* A low-fat vegetarian diet which is as high in energy content as it is delicious
* A fifty-two week program, which outlines a practical way to a perfectly healthy heart and improves your Happiness Quotient

If you want to learn how to use your innate healing powers to rejuvinate your heart, this book is definitely the one for you!

We love this book. We bought it on a whim when it was new and have used it hard ever since. We were looking for an every-day cookbook that was healthier than the ones our Mom's used. We liked this one because the recipes use primarily ingredients we already have on hand. Preparation times vary from quick to long, allowing for recipes to use in a variety of situations. This cookbook contains chapters on appetizers, main dishes with meat, main dishes without meat, and desserts as well as other sections. We appreciate the diversity, nutritional information, clear instructions, and lists of ingredients, most of which are readily available in our grocery store. We have not tried every recipe in the book, but we have liked and repeated almost all the recipes we have tried.

As a dental hygienist, this book particularly interested me because of the current research linking heart attacks and periodontal (gum) diseases. This well-written, empowering book is filled with stories of survivors. It is inspiring and informative, and the sprinklings of humor make it highly readable. Although not personally a survivor, I am motivated to make some simple personal changes towards living a healthier lifestyle. I would recommend this to all women. I enjoyed it as much as "The Women's Heart Book" which I also devoured with enthusiasm.

[...]

I am a registered nurse, and I really enjoyed reading this book. It was written for the layperson, but I found it extremely clarifying and useful as well. Although women are the target audience, the basic heart information is also good for men. It talks about anatomy and physiology of the heart, info on various heart conditions, cardiac medications, cardiac tests and medical procedures, cardiac rehabilitation, and finally how to keep your heart healthy: through exercise, nutritious diet, stratagies for de-stressing, and quitting smoking. She also incorporates scientific research throughout the book, but uses it wisely. I highly recommend reading this book if you are interested in your heart health.

Many of us feel so overwhelmed by the worlds astronomical environmental and health problems, we feel utterly helpless. But this book offers a simple, straight forward approach to creating a positive change, right in your own home. As a nutritionist and environmentalist, I was reluctant to read yet another depressing book on the state of health of our planet and our human bodies. But I was pleasantly surprised by the quick read and simplicity of Mr. Diamonds idea; how each of us can contribute to positive changes on this earth. the most effort on our part is sending this book to others (especially that it is now out of print!)

Went in to the doctor a few months ago because of some chest pain. Was diagnosed with "muscle strain," but generally know what sore muscles feel like. That wasn't it.

Decided to do a bit of reading on my own, so I stopped at Powell's Books and perused their cardiovascular / hearth health / hearth disease section. Came across this book, and skimmed it. Was immediately hooked and decided to purchase and read it more thoroughly. I'm glad I did. It was quite enlightening. I ended up re-reading it in part or in total a couple more times. Tried several of the recipes from the latter half of the book and they were quite good. The recipes are generally low-sodium and as non-fat as possible.

I suggest reading this book, and then also taking at look at Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook and Cleveland Clinic Healthy Heart Lifestyle Guide and Cookbook. While the recipes in Veganomicon are not necessarily non-fat, many of them can undoubtedly be adapted to reduce or eliminate much of the fat, in line with Dr. Esselstyn's advice to keep fat intake to under 10% of total calories.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in hearth health, living a long time or suffering from the beginnings of heart disease. While it may require a change of diet / lifestyle, it may be possible to get your life back. This book is based on a multi-year study of several patients who started out the program with severe coronary disease and were able to halt or reverse the progression of the disease by embarking on a non-fat, plant-based diet regimen. The study was based in part on the groundbreaking book The China Study, which "examines more than 350 variables of health and nutrition with surveys from 6,500 adults in more than 2,500 counties across China and Taiwan, and conclusively demonstrates the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer."

I'm not a vegan (political or otherwise), but am generally in favor of a more plant-based diet with low fat intake (after reading this book). Not going to go completely nutso about it, or join the vegan cult though.

Great book containing the information many of us needed years ago to prevent most of the commonly accepted diseases that we chose to have because we didn't choose wise food habits years ago. Very readable with plenty of documentation for the wise advice contained. It contains the answer to escalating insurance and medical costs in our country. Should be a "must read" for individuals and families. Should be read a followed by everyone on Medicare before any money is paid out! J. Howard Sprague, D.D.S.

I enjoyed this book but can only follow it most of the time.
For instance, Dr Esselstyn says that nuts are unhealthy. But there are
many studies that indicate that they reduce cholesterol. These studies
can't all be by nut companies. Good book, but I will continue eating
my PB&J!

I bought this book a few days after Tim Russert's death and my 1 year old daughter's birthday. With a cholesterol number in the 280's and with heart disease in the family, I was pretty much resigned to my eventual fate. What could I do? This book explains that and has helped me understand the science of CVD. Now I am in control of whether I will fall victim to CVD - my cholesterol is down 30% and I have lost 30 pounds in 5 months. To top it off, I feel great. I've wanted to go running for the first time in ages. The advice in this book is life-changing. For those that think it is too strict - it's not, especially when the alternative is surgery or death. As Dr. Esselystn points out, sudden death is the first sign of heart disease for 30% of people. For me, there is no going back. Thank you Dr. Esselstyn.

I followed the rules of the diet in this book and my LDL went from 135 to 95.

I was amazed at how Dr. Agatston was able to explain the medical jargon as well as the latest findings on heart health. It was encouraging to read that preventing heart attacks is possible....even if your genetics tend toward it!
He gave a balanced plan that is without pressure and doable, and guidelines as to when medical intervention is needed. It is obvious that his desire is to lower the statistics on heart attacks and invasive surgeries rather than pad his wallet.

This is easy for a layman to read & understand. The foods suggested in Phase 1 & 2 are readily available in our local grocery store. A cardiologist reccomended this book, so that's good enough for us.

Dr. Agatston's explanation of the heart and heart disease is written in layman's terms so everyone will have an easy time to understand the "ins" and "outs" of heart disease. After reading this book, you will want to change your life style and ask your doctor for these life saving tests. I would highly recommend this book especially if you have a family history of heart disease and stroke.

Okay, but not, imho, as accurate nor as engaging as other books. Try Ultrametabolism instead.

Positives: delicious, nutritious food. Never felt hungry through a year of using the recipes and menus. That was five years ago and 50 pounds ago. The 50 have stayed off because I/we still eat the same way, and always will. Negatives: preparation of many recipes takes a LOT of time and access to a few ingredients that are hard to find in a small town grocery store. This would be a TERRIFIC diet if only one had someone to prepare all this food for you. Still the best diet out there; it works and it changes the way you will eat and think about food for the rest of your life.