Seven Steps to Stop a Heart Attack

Publishers Weekly

Not only is heart disease the number one cause of death in America, it's also a problem that can frequently be prevented. Tragically, however, one of its first symptoms is often sudden, unexpected death from a heart attack. In his ninth book (after The Breast Health Cookbook; The Prostate Cancer Protection Plan; etc.), Arnot aims to give readers the tools to ensure they're not among the patients who "fall through the cracks." He outlines his seven steps in straightforward chapters on detecting warning signs, determining risk, taking medication and more. Incorporating the sometimes contradictory opinions of various medical experts, he puts the responsibility of making an informed decision into readers' hands, explaining that physicians may miss telltale signs and hospitals may not be ready to deal with a particular problem (some, for example, aren't equipped for life-saving balloon therapy, so it pays to research local health care options before a crisis arises). There's no universal plan to treat heart disease, Arnot stresses, but he urges readers to become educated regarding their options and aggressive in the lifestyle changes that could save their lives. Agent, Dan Green at Pom. (Jan.) Forecast: Arnot is well-known not just for his books but for his media appearances on CBS This Morning, the Today Show and Dateline NBC, so readers wanting to bone up on heart health should trust his expertise. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

For many, the first symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD) is the last-sudden death. As noted here by Arnot (The Prostate Cancer Protection Plan), of the 1.5 million people who have heart attacks each year, approximately a third die. In one of the best overviews this reviewer has ever read on the risks and warning signs of CAD, Arnot compellingly details the risk factors (e.g., metabolic syndrome, or Syndrome X), diagnostic tests for each risk factor, who should request them, and how results should be interpreted. He also presents a thoughtful discussion of medications and other therapies and outlines questions that patients should ask their healthcare providers. Arnot frequently points out that heart disease is a "lifestyle disease" and that diet and exercise are among the most powerful prescriptions to combat it. Unfortunately, he doesn't mention a recent Stanford University report showing that many physicians don't feel they have the experience or the knowledge to counsel patients on either of those topics. Still, this is a solid book, based on the most current medical research and interviews with noted cardiologists. Highly recommended for consumer health collections in public and academic libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/15/04.]-Howard Fuller, Stanford Health Lib., Palo Alto, CA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.