Recommended by cardiologist
344823
Our doctor suggested we get this book and start the "eating plan" to improve our cardiac health.  The theory behind the plan sounds logical, and much explanation is provided as to how Esselstyn developed his theory.  There are numerous recipes included.  This is a DRASTIC change from our previous eating habits, though, and it's sometimes difficult to obey every facet of the plan.
3902702
I first found this book in my local library.  After having read the book, I decided that it was worthwhile enough to purchase for my home library.

The book contains much useful information regarding the Cholesterol Myth.

The information I found I will be able to use to both make informed decisions for myself, as well as to discuss with my current General Practitioner.

I bought the book to have as a current reference that provides a lot of useful information in an understandable format.

One of the authors of the book is a Cardiologist.  He is an expert in his own right and contributed greatly to the useful information contained within the book.
2032635
A few years back while shopping for tools in a pawn shop I found my Littmann Cardiology  III brand new in the box for $30 dollars! I imagine there are not a whole lot of Cardiologist shopping in pawn shops. With my old $10 dollar stethoscope it was impossible to listen to lung, heart sounds or a blood pressure while working on the back on the Ambulance. With the Littmann I was able to hear very clearly regardless of if the ambulance was in motion with sirens blaring. For the past few years I have worked in remote areas of Afghanistan and now Papua New Guinea. My Littmann Cardiology III is a constant fixture in my carry on everywhere I fly to work.
310357
This book gives a nice historical perspective of each of the common lesions a pediatric cardiologist faces in daily practice. It will take you through the morphology of each lesion, the diagnostic tools used, the available treatment options, the short-term and long-term outcomes, and survival curves.

Upon reading each chapter, you have a comprehensive understanding of why we manage certain diseases the way we do today. I think it's important to know what had been tried previously and what failed so that the field can continue to advance. If you want a book citing multicenter clinical trials and to tell you the advantages of an ACE-I over ARB in heart failure, this is not the book for you. However, if you want a read that will strengthen your true understanding of the cardiac conditions we treat and how we arrived to where we are today, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. ***IF YOU ARE A PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY FELLOW, THIS IS A MUST READ***
1695500
Experiencing chest pain.  Went to the ER.  Was sent to a cardiologist - The result - two stents implanted to correct 95% blockage in the right coronary artery.  My health had been virtually perfect, a runner for years, 6' tall & about 185 lbs.  No risk factors for heart disease, I thought, except elevated cholesterol.  But if I now change nothing I'll be back in for more heart artery intervention in a few years.  So a good friend bought me this book, and I believe it's a life saver.  After three weeks under Dr. Esselstyn's recommendations I have lost 8 lbs.  My blood pressure has dropped from 140/80 to 125/75, and my at rest heart rate from 72 to 60.  Haven't checked my cholesterol level yet, but I fully expect the same results experienced by all of Dr. Esselstyn's patients.  This book may have extended a healthy active life for me as I advance in years.  Do yourself a favor - buy the book, read it and act on it.  Before it's too late.
3041842
This method does work and I highly recommend the book.  However, please read what I have to say if you have been diagnosed with hypertension at a young age.  I was diagnosed at the age of 38 (15 years ago) and have managed to control my blood pressure quite well with medication, diet and lifestyle.  However, about 5 years ago it became harder to manage despite everything.  I started getting heart palpitations and was referred to a cardiologist, went through a series of tests and was told my heart was fine and to "just ignore them - everyone has them".  Easier said than done. After enduring worsening symptoms (including menopause, which was also blamed) I saw a different cardiologist who noticed that my potassium was low (2.8).  My potassium levels were always below the low normal level over the years despite my diet and over the past year taking a prescribed potassium supplement.  The cardiologist sent me to see a hypertension specialist who took blood and urine tests and subsequently an upper abdominal CT scan.  I have now been diagnosed with Conn's Syndrome/hyperaldosteronism which is a benign tumour on one adrenal gland thus causing the release of excess aldosterone.  This causes retention of sodium and excretion of potassium.  I have been put on spironolactone - a potassium sparing diuretic which has helped a great deal.
I am now waiting for another test and hope to be able to have the tumour removed.
If this information helps at least one person I will feel good as I have come to understand that most primary care doctors do not come across this condition as it is still thought of as relatively rare (1-10) although I believe it to be more.
361597
In early 2005, after my spouse suffered a heart attack at age 56, we finally started to listen to the nutritional advice of our internist, George Steele MD.  And I read Dr. Steele's book on the Mediterranean Hunter-Gatherer Diet.  Adhering quite closely to the instructions, we changed our eating habits accordingly.  I lost 30 pounds in six months.  More important:  my husband's cholesterol level plummeted (as did mine, albeit less dramatically).  Now, six years later, we have eased up somewhat on the diet (occasionally eating pizza etc), but we continue to follow the major guidelines--plus we have been motivated to exercise regularly and to maintain a positive frame of mind.  My husband says he sleeps better and has a lot of energy.  I am convinced that this would not have happened without Dr. Steele's book (which is also fun to read).
2510135
This was recommended to me by my local Veterinary Cardiologist and I'm very pleased so far. My dog is an 11# chihuahua so he only needs one, once daily. They're definitely too big for him to swallow, but the capsule is easily opened and sprinkled into wet food. He doesn't love the taste of it but anything to slow the inevitable issues.
4599194
Good purchase for me.  Im a retired  Nurse practitioner, and friends are always asking me to listen to someones lungs or heart. Breath and heart sounds are very clear.  Difference between rales, rhonchi and wheezes is clear...
803650
Well written and well illustrated. Excellent for residents, fellows and for practicing physicians. Illustrations are clear and easy to understand. The ECG tracings are of high quality.
1796322
A really interesting book if you are in Cardiology or cardiovascular research.
1986674
Our heart doctor recommended this book to help lower our cholesterol and be more active and heart healthy. We have been eating a lot of fresh produce already but needed to eat less fat and meats, etc. This is our next big step. I love how everything is explained well and backed by science. The Spectrum idea helps us make our own smarter choices without feeling restricted.  Can't wait for my husband's next doc visit where he surprises his doctor with great results. We are "competing" to see who gets "healthier" first! Only in our second week and feeling better already. Would love to have my husband be med-free at least for his cholesterol. Hoping his COPD improves too.
3933514
Since I have CHF and low thyroid and have walked some of the path towards healing that Thomas has, I was very encouraged by this book.  It's too bad that we have to read so much written by other doctors to be able to walk a healing path, which the drugs don't do.  I have a good cardiologist, but I had to tell him "I don't feel like you really care about me as a person" before he actually started treating me like a person instead of a case.  Long story short for now he seems to be on my side, which is "I'm going to beat this thing".  If you or a loved one has congestive heart failure, read this book.  As others have said, it's very well written.
1434281
The South Beach Diet was recommended to me by my cardiologist.  The first 70 pages really gives a lot of information, including an explanation of the term, glycemic index, which, in turn, impacts how a person diets.  The book presents the diet as a lifestyle, and there are quite a few testimonials, which, can be skipped, without losing the facts.  South Beach Diet also contains recipes and meal plans.
3446456
Every non-clinician in my medical device company has borrowed my now dog-eared copy of this book!  Beginning with a very straightforward discussion of cardiac anatomy and physiology, the editor then takes us through the components of electrocardiograms and how to recognize rhythms both normal and not.  I was especially grateful for the thorough treatment of different types and levels of patient ECG monitoring and the sections on ventricular dysrhythmias. Easy to read, good mneumonic devices throughout--and frequent quizzes to self-test your understanding.  Found one typo that was distressing, but easy enough to figure out when thought through.
2009205
I bought it as a recommendation from my vet for my dogs kidney and heart issues since any medicine for either would counteract. I'm not sure yet if it's helping his kidneys or heart murmur but his coat sure is softer!
3691690
Very Useful for all the persons who have heart problems. Langauage is very simple to follow and use in ones own life. As physicians this is book has been very useful in their practices.
I recommend highly  Umesh Patil