Before It Happens To You: A Breakthrough Program For Reversing Or Preventing Heart Disease (Hardcover)

by Jonathan Sackner Bernstein (Author) "HEART DISEASE STARTS MUCH EARLIER THAN YOU THINK..." (more)
Key Phrases: borderline blood pressure, optimal blood pressure, vulnerable plaques, Heart Protection Study, American Diabetes Association, Cleveland Clinic (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
If, in the last 10 years, drugs have come to the fore as the first line of attack against depression, a similar revolution may be happening with cardiovascular care. Bernstein, director of clinical research and of the heart failure prevention program at Long Island's Northshore Hospital, recommends a battery of drugs even before problems start to emerge, since studies show that "if you start treatment before you develop any symptoms of heart disease, you'll live longer." Writing with commercial health writer Kelly, Bernstein outlines a "Before It Happens Plan" based on the regular use of "statins" like Lipitor and Zocor to lower cholesterol, aspirin to prevent stroke, as well as "ACE inhibitors" and "Beta-Blockers" to discourage high blood pressure. Bernstein thinks that people are more likely to stick to the daily use of drugs than to an exercise regimen, and that in many cases the drugs should be used even if one works out regularly and eats carefully. While Bernstein's voice doesn't really come through on this project, his message does, as do his practical and very specific suggestions for who should seek treatment and when. He tutors readers on how to discuss the issue with doctors, how to understand test results, and how to use the drugs safely. The needs of diabetics, people with HIV, smokers, people with high cholesterol and people who are overweight are considered in separate chapters, as are the differing needs of men and women. Periodically, Bernstein marshals shock statistics to keep one convinced: "Each year, more than half of all deaths in America are caused by heart disease. That's more than all forms of cancer combined." For many readers, a more vivid depiction of the situation will be unnecessary.
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Review
"Details a plan of action to stop heart disease in its tracks." -- Curled Up with a Good Book February 2004

"Filled with excellent advice...Anyone with a reasonable concern for their health will benefit from reading this book." -- Bookviews.com February 2004

"Practical and very specific suggestions for who should seek treatment and when." -- PublishersWeekly.com 02/16/04

"Tells you how to lower your high cholesterol and blood pressure-early signs of heart disease." -- Miami Herald 03/23/04

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073820918X
• ISBN-13: 978-0738209180
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #754,874 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Arguably a lifesaver -- but bound to be controversial, February 16, 2004

By A Customer

I find it fascinating that two respected and reputable New York cardiologists, Peter Salgo in "The Heart of the Matter" and Jonathan Sackner Bernstein in "Before It Happens to You," have come out in the same month with books espousing the unusual, rather heretical view that most Americans, even those regarded as healthy, would benefit from taking the popular cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. The two books differ in several ways -- Salgo also focuses on aspirin and an infection that many Americans may harbor, Bernstein on the benefits of ACE inhibitors, etc. -- and I think the Bernstein book is a little more repetitive than the Salgo book and perhaps written on a slightly more casual level. But what's remarkable, to me at least, is that these books agree on the usefulness of statins, in fact on the crucial NEED for them: that is, the need to take them NOW instead of waiting till you've suffered a heart attack (when these drugs are generally prescribed). The two physicians are bluntly dismissive of the conventional wisdom that one should attempt to control cholesterol primarily by exercising more and altering one's diet. They don't say that these are bad choices, simply that they don't help very much; exercise and diet are relatively ineffective because 80 percent of one's cholesterol level is genetically determined and is not amenable to lifestyle changes. Salgo and Bernstein are, I think, rather courageous in advocating a solution so unfashionable; indeed, they are "thinking the unthinkable" -- that there IS a sort of pharmacological "quick fix" that happens to be safe and inexpensive; that swallowing some pills every day will actually lengthen our lives; and no doubt there are many well-meaning souls who will try to shout them down. I suspect, though, having read both books and having found them both persuasive, that Americans might well live significantly longer if they followed these doctors' advice.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, Usable Immediately, February 23, 2004

By	Lee D. Goldring (Northeast USA) - See all my reviews

I found this book very easy and informative reading. For those of us just starting out in the "healthy heart" investigation, it seems to be a clearly written how-to manual of an "immediately usable" alternative. I personally cannot find the time to exercise as necessary to maintain a really healthy system, and along with at least a good diet this seems like a safe program with pretty immediate benefits. The challenge will come in presenting this to my doctor, but Dr. Sackner Bernstein has anticipated this with a great section on how to discuss it with your physician and how to be firm in the face of some expected skepticism. He has either provided proven data in the book that I can show my doctor, and/or has given some sources that I plan to use to make my case. I'm looking forward to getting these test done and seeing the benefits from the program. I've already recommended the book/program to some friends and they seem to feel the same as I do.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fast and easy, February 17, 2004

By	Debra (Lake Worth, FL) - See all my reviews

After years of asking is my blood pressure and cholesterol okay, finally an answer and what to do about it. Like my doctor always said, we are in charge of our own health. Don't wait for the government to worry about YOU.