Product Description

Heart disease is the biggest killer in our modern age, yet its causes - and just how much we can do to prevent it - are still not fully appreciated. In this authoritative yet easy to understand book, leading cardiologist Dr Arthur Agatston shares what years of working in the field have taught him - that not only is heart disease preventable but in many cases it is highly treatable. Part One of this important new book in the "South Beach" series looks at the most recent findings on the underlying causes of coronary artery disease; the importance of metabolic syndrome; why doctors are failing to use state-of-the-art aggressive heart disease prevention; and how Dr Agatston came to develop his groundbreaking approach. Part Two covers: how to determine your risk of developing cardiovascular disease; the advanced screening techniques that can help you tailor the program and increase its effectiveness; The South Beach Diet and how it can reduce the risk of heart disease; how to enhance your heart health through exercise - and why this is central to the Prevention Revolution; and last but not least, the lifesaving role of properly prescribed heart medications and supplements.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #663353 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

About the Author
Dr Arthur Agatston is a cardiologist and author of the bestselling The South Beach Diet. He developed this scientifically-proven eating program to improve the health of his overweight heart patients.

Customer Reviews

Go Beyond The South Beach Diet to Improve Cardio-Vascular Health

This book is essential reading.

Have you ever been to a cardiologist? I've been to lots. The South Beach Heart Program will teach you more valuable lessons about what you can do to improve your health than if you consulted every cardiologist you could find.

Why do you need to learn those lessons? Most of what you've been told about heart health is wrong. For example, most people have been told that the higher your cholesterol level the more likely you are to have a heart attack. Yet, more people with low cholesterol have heart attacks than those with high cholesterol. Like most things, the answer is more complicated. It all depends on what kind of cholesterol you have: And you probably don't know how to interpret or ask for the right kinds of lab tests. This book will cure those kinds of misunderstandings.

Basically, there's been a shift in what we understand about heart disease in the last few years. The older (and incorrect) view is that you need to sluice out the arteries and all will be well (much like what a plumber does). The newer (and more correct) view is that arteries become damaged and need to be healed. This book explores the implications of the newer view.

How can you tell what kind of cardiologist you have? If they favor heart bypass surgery, balloon catheterization, and stents, you've got a plumber. If they oppose those methods, you've got a healer.

Long before he was taking dozens of pounds off millions of people with his South Beach Diet, Dr. Agatston was a well-respected cardiologist. In this book, you see the four elements that he prescribes for his patients to virtually eliminate heart disease:

1. Follow the South Beach Diet.
2. Exercise according to the South Beach Heart Workout.
3. Get the right diagnostic tests.
4. Use the right medications, as appropriate for your situation.

If you don't know what the South Beach Diet is, the principles are pretty simple:

a. Avoid bad carbohydrates (ones what are quickly processed by your body)
b. Avoid bad fats (ones that create harmful cardio-vascular conditions, especially trans fats)
c. Increase good carbohydrates (ones that are slowly processed by your body)
d. Increase good fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids found in fish)

The process for doing this first involves withdrawing from carbohydrates for two weeks and then gradually shifting to healthy carbohydrates (such as oat bran).

This book contains a thumbnail section with the key elements of the diet, but I recommend you also get the full book on the diet.

The exercise regimen isn't bad at all. It will take you about 45 minutes a day, including 30 minutes of brisk walking. You don't need to go to the gym. Your shape will improve as you diet, which is a nice side benefit.

The medical testing is also quite reasonable. You'll get an annual physical examination, simple blood tests, an electrocardiogram, a heart scan, an occasional stress test, and occasional ultrasounds. Only the stress test is any kind of a big deal at all, and most physicians will have you do those every so often once you are past certain ages. The heart scan is quick and painless and can provide lots of advance warning of heart attack risk: Dr. Agatston is famous for his measurements in this area which are well explained in the book.

As for medication, obviously your physician will decide. He argues in favor of statin drugs to lower cholesterol (such as Zocor and Lipitor), niacin (vitamin B3), cholesterol-absorption blockers (like Zetia), fibrates for reducing triglycerides (such as Lopid and TriCor), blood pressure reducing drugs, aspirin, and dietary supplements. Armed with this list, you can have a good discussion with your regular physician or cardiologist (if you are already under treatment).

I think the key lesson of this book is that you need to choose your cardiologist carefully. That alone can be worth a great deal to you.

Bravo, Dr. Agatston!