Before the Heart Attacks: A Revolutionary Approach to Detecting, Preventing, and Even Reversing Heart Disease [Hardcover]

H. Robert Superko (Author), Laura Tucker (Author), Spencer B. King (Author), Harvey S. Hecht (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 2003

Heart attacks are preventable; fatalities from heart attacks should be virtually unheard of; and heart disease can be controlled, possibly even reversed, says renowned researcher and cardiologist H. Robert Superko, M.D. In his groundbreaking work, Before the Heart Attacks, Dr. Superko for the first time outlines his innovative program to the public.

Dr. Superko was among the first physicians to question why standard screening tests missed so many pending heart attacks, and his search for the answer evolved into an entirely new approach to diagnosing, preventing, and treating heart disease.

The key to this groundbreaking cardiology is a new generation of screening tests that allow doctors to go beyond early detection of heart disease, to predict problems before they occur. Now doctors can step in and give you an individualized action plan that can forestall the disease before you suffer a first symptom! By targeting the metabolic and genetic underpinnings that can lead to tomorrow's heart attacks, you have the power to change your cardiac destiny.

So rather than waiting until you require invasive surgery, you can help to sidestep the devastation of advanced heart disease by adopting today the right dietary and exercise plans and taking the right supplements and, if necessary, medications. What truly distinguishes Dr. Superko's approach is the ability it gives us to customize treatment in a far more patient-specific manner than ever before. That way it is possible to strike the disease before it strikes you!

Read this book, make an appointment with your doctor, and get a new lease on a long and healthy life for your heart.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In this lucid and revolutionary book, cardiologist Robert Superko counsels readers about how to outwit their genes by identifying "metabolic markers" that predict future heart attacks. "To make a preemptive strike, you have to know which factors are putting you in harm’s way," he explains. So rather than focusing on cholesterol count, Superko outlines a patient-doctor partnership to create a personal risk profile he calls a "cardiac fingerprint." Here’s the drill: Through a detailed self-assessment, patients identify a series of risk factors (family history, age, physical traits, medical conditions). If the risk profile is high, the next step is a physician- ordered blood test to identify metabolic markers (for example, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and lipoprotein) that indicate high risk for heart attack. Depending on the results, tests such as a carotid or intra-vascular ultrasound can pinpoint heart disease. With this data in hand, Dr. Superko is convinced that patients have the power to change their cardiac destiny. For each significant risk, he suggests prescriptive keys in diet, activity level, nutrition and medication. With writer Laura Tucker, Dr. Superko demystifies complex issues about heart health. His ideas are compelling and optimistic—he believes in a future when every heart attack will be an anomaly. The only challenge may be persuading your cholesterol counting doctor. --Barbara Mackoff

Review

"Dr. Robert Superko has probably done more than any other single individual to prevent heart disease at the national level."--Robert Roberts, M.D., F.A.C.C., chief of cardiology, Don W. Chapman Professor of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine

"I have collaborated with Dr. Superko in research studies that have made me a believer. Everyone should listen carefully."--Spencer B. King III, M.D., M.A.C.C., Fuqua Chair of Interventional Cardiology, The Fuqua Heart Center at Piedmont Hospital

"This is an important book. The complexity of lipid abnormalities could not be clearer and the importance of understanding better explained."--John Vogel, M.D., M.A.C.C., American College of Cardiology

"This is a book that needs to be read by laypersons as well as physicians. It not only contains recommendations for medications but also discusses nutrition, weight loss, diets, and overall fitness as a prescription for cardiovascular health."--C. Richard Conti, M.D., M.A.C.C., Eminent Scholar, professor of medicine, University of Florida

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 1 edition (June 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579548008
• ISBN-13: 978-1579548001
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Will Save Many Lives, However....., June 26, 2003

By 

Wayne Wasserman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Before the Heart Attacks: A Revolutionary Approach to Detecting, Preventing, and Even Reversing Heart Disease (Hardcover)

Finally! Someone has debunked the "one size fits all" cholesterol
fraud-based theory that high cholesterol is the culprit behind heart disease. Pay attention pharmaceutical companies!

Dr. Superko's excellent book will change the way many doctors treat (and PREVENT) heart disease by testing for the "cardiac fingerprints" that help determine each person's UNIQUE risk factors for diseases of the coronary & carotid arteries (as well as peripheral vascular arteries)...if the doctors read this book.

By testing for ALL of the major risk factors, doctors will now be able to devise a "battle plan" that is tailored to the individual patient. This will no doubt significantly reduce the individual's risk of suffering a coronary "event" (as well as strokes and other disorders associated with diseased arteries).

However, there are TWO subjects of which the author, Dr. Superko,
DIDN'T do his homework on. And for a man of his intelligence, this is inexcuseable.

First of all, he states that ALL saturated fats are bad for you.
He "lumps" all saturated fats together (from animal, dairy, chocolate & tropical oil sources) as promoting coronary artery disease. If Dr. Superko had actually done his homework, he would know that it is SCIENITIFIC FACT that saturated fats from COCONUT & PALM OILS (in their non-hydrogenated / trans-fat free forms) are not only NOT bad for you, they are acutually GOOD for you (see "Know Your Fats", Mary G. Enig, PhD., and "The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil", Bruce Fife, N.D.).

The last issue has to do with his grudging endorsement of vitamin E. Dr. Superko mentions how several studies showed that vitamin E did not reduce the risk of heart disease. Again, had he researched the subject properly, Dr. Superko would have found the reason why many of these studies have failed to show any positive roles in using vitamin E to reduce the risk of diseases of the arteries: the researchers failed to use the CORRECT forms of vitamin E (the studies only used a single isolated / fractionated form of "natural" vitamin E). Vitamin E is actually
a term used to describe no less then EIGHT "isomers" (four tocopherols & four tocotrienols). Studies have shown that using the right forms of vitamin E DOES help prevent & even reverse diseases of the arteries!

Had Dr. Superko researched the book better with regards to saturated fats & vitamin E, I would gladly give "Before the Heart Attacks" five stars. I was tempted to give it only three stars. However, due to the overwhelmingly positive impact his "Cardiac Fingerprint" testing will have on the American public, it deserves at least four stars.

If you or someone you love has, or may be at risk for heart disease, you need to read this book before it's too late!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Layman's Guide to Latest Heart Testing and Treatment, June 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Before the Heart Attacks: A Revolutionary Approach to Detecting, Preventing, and Even Reversing Heart Disease (Hardcover)

I've been looking for this kind of book for years. With a family history, high cholesterol and adverse reaction to statin's I needed help in understanding what's going on in detail and what are my non-invasive treatment alternative's.
This book helps you find the answers by giving you a short basic test and then providing simple instruction of how to take it to the next level for an individualized "cardiac fingerprint". Instead of just the basic cholesterol exam it explains in layman's terms the most important tests to request and their meaning.
I plan to share this one with my doctor as well as the entire family.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Newest heart disease research provides critical information, June 17, 2003

By 

mpozner (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Before the Heart Attacks: A Revolutionary Approach to Detecting, Preventing, and Even Reversing Heart Disease (Hardcover)

This outstanding book brings the concerned person the most up to date heart disease research in a clear style that motivates you to reduce your risk factors. The newest blood tests give you a clearer picture of your personal heart disease risk than you could ever get from simple cholesterol (HDL and LDL) readings. He gives you concrete suggestions about diet, exercize, medications, and supplements. All of this from one of the researchers who has spent the last 20 years treating patients and studying heart disease. This book gets my highest recommendation.