Heart 411: The Only Guide to Heart Health You'll Ever Need

Heart 411 is a very comprehensive and well written book, but the authors are very wrong on the optimal diet for heart disease.My qualifications for writing this review are four college degrees, research in many fields, extensive study of experimental design, and a history of three heart attacks, two angioplasties (before stents), and a triple bypass 22 years ago. At that time, I went on the Pritikin/Ornish/Esselstyn diet and have had no problems since. I run 5k races with full exertion and no chest pain.The authors recommend the Mediterranean Diet and statins. They say: "If you follow our advice, our waiting rooms will empty out, and you just might put us out of business." (p.531). Let's examine the truth of their assertions.In the Lyon Diet Heart Study (1999), the Mediterranean Diet was compared to the standard American diet. The subjects were patients who had one heart attack. The Mediterranean Diet did better than the standard American diet, but here is the bad news. Nearly one quarter (24%) of those on the Mediterranean Diet had another heart attack or died. Is a 1 in 4 chance of dying or having a second heart attack satisfactory for you? Those are bad odds in my opinion. The Pritikin/Ornish/Esselstyn diet has a success rate of nearly 100% in preventing future cardiac events. Although the Mediterranean diet may slow disease progression, you can actually stop your heart disease on the Pritikin/Ornish/Esselstyn diet.Do statins reliably stop heart disease? On page 53, the authors celebrate the, Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study, the 4S Study (1994), calling the study "proof" of the effectiveness of the statin and the results "stunning". They cite the dramatic reduction in the relative risk of those taking the statin. However, let's take a closer look.In the 4S study, there were 4,444 subjects, divided into two nearly equal groups. The subjects had either a heart attack or angina pectoris. Over 5.4 years, a major coronary event occurred in 622 (28%) of the control group and 431 (19%) of the statin group. This 9% absolute reduction of risk translates into a relative risk reduction of 30%. The overlooked finding is that 431 of the 2221 subjects treated with the statin (19.4%), had another major cardiac event, so your odds of avoiding a major cardiac event are 80.6% if you maintain your statin treatment (72% if you do not take the statin). This improvement in risk justifies treatment, but the numbers do not provide much reassurance. You have reduced the absolute risk by 9%. Compare this with the nearly 100% effectiveness of a totally plant based, whole food, no oil diet.In another recent statin study, called the SATURN study (2011), of which Dr. Nissen was an author, statins also failed to provide protection to 18% of the participants, despite the subjects taking "Maximal doses" of Crestor and Lipitor. There was a total of 1,380 subjects, and 244 (18%) continued to have negative cardiac events in two years. To illustrate this probability, think of a number between 1-6, then role a die. If your number comes up, you just had a major cardiac event despite a high statin dose. Although the study reports these doses were well tolerated, bear in mind that the FDA warned in February, 2012, of additional side effects of "memory loss, forgetfulness, and mental confusion" from taking statins. The Pritikin/Ornish/Esselstyn diet will raise your odds of avoiding all cardiac events from 82% to nearly 100%, without the risk of these side effects.Now let's turn to the positive alternative. Dr. Esselstyn reported in the American Journal of Cardiology (1999) his study of 18 patients who had 49 negative cardiac events prior to commencement of his plant based nutrition program. At the end of 12 years there had been one death from an arrhythmia. (An angiogram of this patient had revealed, however, that narrowings of the coronary arteries had improved.) There were no cardiac events in the other subjects during the 12 year period.My point is that the Mediterranean Diet and statin treatment are not reliable treatments to stop coronary artery disease. Their benefits are overblown and bring about complacency in patients. To be serious about stopping, rather than slowing, coronary artery disease you should examine the research and clinical results of Pritikin, Ornish, and Esselstyn (as well as Drs. John McDougall and Neal Barnard).Further evidence of the efficacy of the Pritikin and Ornish programs is that Medicare Part B, will pay most of the cost if you have had a heart procedure or angina.It is indeed a conundrum that Dr. Nissen and Dr. Esselstyn, both highly respected physicians can coexist in the same medical institution, the Cleveland Clinic, world renowned for treatment of heart disease. It is a testament to the openness and freedom within the Cleveland Clinic that both can express their opinions and practice medicine there. I do believe, however, that the authors of this book have failed their readership by not presenting a dietary program that will reliably stop coronary artery disease.

Good book on heart health. When our doctors only see us during 10 minute office visits (two hrs. in outer and inner waiting rooms don't count) its best to do some deep research on the subject before your office visit or after your visit to understand what to ask and understand what you were told after you had your visit. I found this book very helpful in understanding what I was going through and some choices I didn't know I had before getting a CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft), Angioplasty (balloon), Artery stents, etc. I first heard about this book when I saw the two authors on a TV program (PBS I think) discussing heart disease and treatments. They were so interesting and informative on the subject I was sold on the book before I bought mine on Amazon. Controversy surrounds heart disease causes and treatments and there is some bad information out there in the medical world that varies a lot among the medical community mostly because of opinion more than fact. Or, because some treatments are perceived as threats to a thriving medical billing practice. I leave it up to anyone buying the book to arrive at their own conclusions based on their reading. If you agree or disagree with me regarding how helpful I've found this book makes no difference to me. Its your choice. I'm recommending this book because it helped me fill in some of the "blanks" about heart disease I didn't know and wasn't getting from my short Cardiologist visits (more usually a Physicians Assistant or Nurse Practioner). I still recommend this book after 4 years and 6 heart stents and just purchased one for a friend who just had a heart attack, a quad bypass and a stent put in one of his grafts that was told it was because of him having bad arteries. He definitely needs to read up on what his cardiologist is telling him...

A MUST HAVE if you or a relative who has heart problems. I am an 80 yr. old female and had a massive heart attack several months ago. I was sure the docs had made an erroneous diagnosis as I had no problems before H.A. I do have high blood pressure but Rx was keeping it under control, normal cholesterol, 25-30 lbs. overweight, etc. I did, however, have 60% blockage in main artery, causing heart attack. My only symptoms were bone-crushing fatigue and a full feeling in my head. Had never felt this bad in my life - like someone had given me a severe beating.......not painful but just 'out-the-box' fatigue. Luckily, the hospital is a mile from my home. Doc said I was lucky I got myself (neighbor) to the ER right away. Did not call 911 as they are much too slow in my area. Cardiologist recommends healthy eating and moving, moving, moving. It was a real education reading this book...I highly recommend immersing one's self in it. BTW, I had not a scintilla of pain anywhere. That is scary. I also participated in 33 sessions of cardio rehab as recommended by Cardiologist. Very glad I did and now go the gym 5 days week...more on the treadmill than anything. Was told walking the dog ( a small one) is not enough...too much starting and stopping.

Having just had a small heart attack, I was/am reading a lot of books on what to eat, what meds to take, etc. This is a clear, concise, amazingly comprehensive book that puts the patient first. Not only does it describe what tests do what, which you should have, which you should avoid, it tells you what questions to ask you doctor, what to do if you need a second opinion.Gave me confidence and a great deal of knowledge.

Written by 2 renowned heart surgeons at America's #1 ranked hospital for Cardiology and heart surgery - this book is worth it's weight in gold.As advanced as these authors are in their field, they write in a no-nonsense, easy to understand format.You will learn so much about protecting your heart, that it will change your thinking forever.I'd give this book 6 stars if I could.

I bought this book because I am about to have heart surgery and found the book extremely helpful. The authors are cardiac surgeons at the highly regarded Cleveland Clinic and interpret the recent evidence on virtually everything to do with heart health in a way that is clear, honest, expert and reassuring. It is reassuring in the sense that knowledge is power, even uncomfortable knowledge. There is a lot of information in this book, whether you are preparing for surgery or wanting to prevent heart problems.

If Six Star is there I might have given it. Authentic, simple book with out any fancy word. Wow !! excellent book from world's No.1 Cardiac Hospital doctors

This book is a real treasure of meaningful and correct information. Very practical advices. Have recommended it to so many friends.