Prevent a Second Heart Attack: Book Review

Mar 6, 2011
Paym Bergson

Prevent a Second Heart Attack by Janet Bond Brill - book cover courtesy of FSB Associates

Eight foods to eat, eight weeks to gain health back, with the bonus addition of dark chocolate daily! Well researched. Lifestyle change and menus included.

At first glance, the impression gives the reader pause - why prevent a second heart attack - why not prevent the first one? And the author calmly explains - most people don't even bother to change their eating habits and lifestyle until something drastic has happened. Such as the first heart attack. And even then, too many people lack the proper access to appropriate information to change their lifestyle, or the information is woefully inadequate or out of date.

Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 foods, 8 weeks to Reverse Heart Disease by Janet Bond Brill (PhD, RD,LDN) is actually for anyone looking to become healthy. The point is that the damage done by a heart attack can be reversed; and it does not mean a life sentence of deprivation and fear. It does mean though, that certain habits detrimental to health must be replaced with new habits that promote healthy living.

Healthy Living - Knowledge is Key

The book is divided into three major sections:

Part 1: How You Got Heart Disease in the First Place

Part 2: Reversing Heart Disease with Eight Foods and Exercise

Foods that Harm the Arteries
Foods that Heal the Arteries
Stay Active: Movement=Heart Health

Part 3: The Prevent a Second Heart Attack Plan in Action

14 day Meal Plan
Recipes

Daily Cocoa or Dark Chocolate

The information is presented in layman's terms for easier comprehension; it is well researched and documented. The most important part though is how the emphasis is in the readers' control - not in medications. The eight foods are extra virgin olive oil, greens and other vegetables, figs and other fruits, lentils and other legumes, salmon and other seafood, walnuts and flaxseeds, oatmeal and other whole grains, Pinot Noir and other red wine. Note though, the healthy bonus of chocolate is to be added as a daily requirement. This is not the sugar ladened chocolate offered by stores as a chocolate: use 2 tablespoons of natural unsweetened cocoa powder, or up to an ounce of dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa).

Each chapter explains the science behind the food chosen; and there's an excellent explanation on fats. Even better though, is the encouragement for heart patients to keep moving

Over 50 Recipes Included, And Two Week Sample Food/Exercise Plan

The recipes are easy to follow and nutritional analysis for calorie count, fibre etc. is included for each one. There are no strange ingredients to go searching for at an obscure health food store; no admonishing to quit eating all animal protein or to forget ever eating out again. This is a plan for everyday lives. There are two sample weeks of menus provided, and the second week includes an activity chart.

Best of all though, is the scientific proof that the previous thoughts on deprivation do not work, while stressing a truly encompassing menu of foods that are thoroughly enjoyable and can be found on restaurant menus (Mediterranean style).

Book courtesy of FSB Associates.

Reference:

Brill, Janet Bond. Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 foods, 8 weeks to Reverse Heart Disease. New York, NY USA: Three Rivers Press/Crown Publishing Group, 2011.