HEART DISEASE FOR DUMMIES

The startling truth is, one American dies of heart disease every 33 seconds—almost one million deaths each year—and almost one in four Americans has one or more types of heart disease. However, it’s also true that it is possible to prevent, treat, and even reverse heart disease—and this plain English guide shows you how!
Heart Disease For Dummies is for anyone who has been diagnosed with a form of cardiovascular disease, knows someone who has, or who wants to learn more about staying heart healthy and preventing the disease. Leading cardiologist Dr. James Rippe delivers the scoop on the many different forms of heart disease (including angina, heart attacks, arrhythmias, strokes, heart failure, and other cardiac conditions) as well as the latest research, diagnostic techniques, treatment procedures, and medications. You’ll discover how to:
Recognize the risk factors and warning signs of a heart attack
Determine if you h ave heart disease
Distinguish between angina, heart attack, and stroke
Maximize your cardiac function
Find a good doctor and handle a managed care plan
Reverse heart disease through diet, lifestyle changes, and medications
Like the millions of others living with heart disease, you want to take an active part in managing your health and feeling better fast. This easy-to-follow guide explains how heart disease affects the body and shows you the steps you can take—along with your doctor—to improve your quality of life. With the expert advice, simple diagrams, and valuable tips in this book, you’ll:
Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight under control
Understand the common drug and medical treatments available for treating heart disease
Draw on the mind/body connection to reduce stress
Interpret the risk factors you can control (physical inactivity, hypertension, tobacco use) and the ones you can’t (heredity, age, gender)
Form a true partnership with your doctor
Explore cardiac rehabilitation programs
Decide if alternative therapies are right for you
Featuring heart-healthy recipes and a list of resources to help smokers quit the habit, Heart Disease For Dummies is an indispensable resource for living well with this manageable condition.

James M. Rippe, MD, is an Associate Professor of Cardiology at Tufts University Medical School and the Director of the Rippe Health Assessment at Florida Hospital Celebration Health.

Introduction.
Chapter 1 Confronting Heart Disease: The No. 1 Health Threat.
Chapter 2 Touring the Heart and Cardiovascular System.
Chapter 3 Recognizing Your Risk of Coronary Heart Disease.
Chapter 4 Understanding the Onset of Coronary Artery Disease, Angina, and Unstable Angina.
Chapter 5 Understanding Heart Attacks.
Chapter 6 Beating Out of Sync: Arrhythmias.
Chapter 7 When the Pump Falters: Heart Failure.
Chapter 8 Clotting and Bleeding in the Brain: Stroke.
Chapter 9 Identifying Other Cardiac Conditions.
Chapter 10 Taking the First Step: Going for a Checkup.
Chapter 11 Using Diagnostic Tests.
Chapter 12 Forming a Partnership with Your Doctor.
Chapter 13 Combating High Blood Pressure.
Chapter 14 Controlling Cholesterol.
Chapter 15 Understanding Drug and Medical Treatments for Heart Disease.
Chapter 16 Treating Heart Disease with Invasive and Surgical Procedures.
Chapter 17 Evaluating Alternative Therapies: Are They for You?
Chapter 18 Rehabilitating Your Heart.
Chapter 19 Reversing Heart Disease: Hope or Hype?
Chapter 20 Choosing Heart-Healthy Nutrition and Managing Your Weight
Chapter 21 Getting It in Gear: Physical Activity and Exercise for Heart Health.
Chapter 22 Reducing Stress: Tapping the Mind/Body Connection to Improve Heart Health.
Chapter 23 Quitting Smoking.
Chapter 24 Ten Myths about Heart Disease.
Chapter 25 Ten Great Heart-Healthy Foods.
Chapter 26 Ten Cardiac Signs and Symptoms You Need to Know About.
Chapter 27 Ten Secrets of Long-Term Success.
Appendix Great Heart-Healthy Recipes by America's Leading Chefs.
Index.