Take a Load off Your Heart: 109 Things You Can Actually Do to Prevent, Halt and Reverse Heart Disease (Paperback)

by Joseph C. Piscatella (Author), Barry A. Franklin (Author) "MOST HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ONCE AGREED that heart disease was basically a problem of blocked pipes..." (more)
Key Phrases: heart rhythm irregularities, cardiac health, arterial inflammation, American Heart Association, United States, Health Study (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Piscatella (Fat-Proof Your Child), a motivational speaker who had coronary bypass surgery in 1977 at the age of 32, and Franklin (Making Healthy Tomorrows), director of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Laboratory, collaborated on this clearly written guide to preventing heart disease. Like other consumer health books on this subject, the authors recommend, in detail, nutritional strategies that will lower cholesterol, exercises designed to promote cardiovascular health and, of course, an absolute prohibition against smoking. However, what is different about their plan is the emphasis on reducing stress. According to the authors, recent research into cardiac health indicates that chronic stress not only has a direct negative impact on the heart by, for example, promoting arterial inflammation, but can also play an indirect role. Enduring daily stress frequently prevents people from finding the energy and motivation to make healthy lifestyle changes such as eating sensibly and exercising regularly. Piscatella and Franklin recommend many stress-management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, learning to laugh and taking regular vacations that will lead to a more relaxed way of life. Exercise itself has been found to be as effective as tranquilizers in alleviating tension. Included are useful self-assessment tests for those who want to monitor and improve their heart health.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
" Detailed, balanced, yet accessible..." -- Michael S. Lauer, M.D., Director of Clinical Research, Director of Stress Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

" Finally, a book to tell us not just what to do - but how to do it." -- Kathy Berra, M.S.N., N.P., Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford Medical Center

"A marvelous road map to heart health. The information is up-to-date and scientifically accurate. I recommend it highly." -- Steven N. Blair, P.E.D., Director of Reasearch, Cooper Institute

"If we lived by this advice, the cardiac health of Americans would skyrocket." -- William C. Roberts, M.D., Editor in Chief, American Journal of Cardiology

"Take a short-cut to a long life with a few hours of entertaining reading." -- Gerald C. Timmis, M.D., Medical Director, Clinical Research, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan

"This easy-to-read book takes the mystery out of heart disease..." -- Gary J. Balady, M.D., Director of Preventive Cardiology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; 1 edition (February 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761126767
• ISBN-13: 978-0761126768
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,073 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must-read" for all in these heart health conscious times, April 14, 2003

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Take A Load Off Your Heart by cardiac health expert Joseph C. Piscatella (President of the Institute for Fitness & Health, Gig Harbor, Washington) and Barry A. Franklin (Director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and Exercise Laboratories at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan) is a very practical and "user friendly" guide to for the non-specialist general reader seeking to improving their cardiovascular system. A little extra effort in looking after oneself now can save an immense amount of money, pain and grief in the future. Take A Load Off Your Heart features 109 easy-to-follow tips ranging from walking briskly, to drinking black tea, to improving the daily diet, to making exercise a regular habit. Written especially for those seeking to improve their daily lifestyle routines, Take A Load Off Your Heart is a "must-read" for all in these heart health conscious times.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to survive a heart attack, May 12, 2007

By	Mark Riley (Capay, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While going through cardiac rehab after my heart attack, I picked up this book and began reading it on the treadmill at the hospital. That's how desparate I was! The authors give a thorough review of the current information on cardiac health and how to maintain it. No surprises, just a low-fat, low-salt diet, exercise, reduce stress, and take your meds. They describe all the meds and their purposes.
This is the best book to give to anyone in danger of heart problems. I have given several copies to family members and friends.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Book , October 9, 2005

A Kid's Review

After having 5 stents placed in heart veins, Mayo Clinic-Scottsdale, AZ center recommended this book. The author is straight forward about all important details and extremely knowledable. It is fun and easy to read. Most of all it is a real life changing book..This book is not just for people who want to maintain a healthy heart but who desire to live a healthy and long life with or without heart disease.