Table of Contents

Introduction  1

Part I: Getting Started with Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease  5

Chapter 1: Taking Charge of Your Heart Health  7

Chapter 2: Understanding the Onset and Outcomes of Heart Disease  15

Chapter 3: Are You at Risk of Heart Disease? How to Turn That Risk Around  39

Part II: Taking Basic Steps to Heart Health  51

Chapter 4: Forming a Partnership with Your Doctor for the Best Heart Care  53

Chapter 5: Embracing a Healthy Diet and Active Lifestyle  65

Chapter 6: Tapping the Power of the Mind/Body Connection  89

Chapter 7: Taking a Family Approach to Preventing Heart Disease  101

Part III: Tackling Key Health Risks for Heart Disease  111

Chapter 8: Combating High Blood Pressure  113

Chapter 9: Managing Bad (and Good) Cholesterol  129

Chapter 10: Managing Your Weight to Lower Your Risk  143

Chapter 11: Quitting Smoking  157

Part IV: Treating Heart Disease  169

Chapter 12: Modern Medical Arsenal: Rx Weapons for Heart Disease  171

Chapter 13: The 411 on Invasive and Surgical Procedures  189

Chapter 14: Exploring Complementary Therapies  201

Chapter 15: Taking Back Your Life after a Heart Event  213

Part V: Heart-Healthy Recipes  225

Chapter 16: Heart-Healthy Breakfasts  227

Chapter 17: Heart-Healthy Lunches  243

Chapter 18: Heart-Healthy Dinners  263

Chapter 19: Snacks, Starters, and Desserts  287

Part VI: The Part of Tens  299

Chapter 20: Ten Differences in Heart Disease between Women and Men 301

Chapter 21: Ten Cardiac Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore  307

Chapter 22: Ten Heart Tests to Consider or Avoid  311

Chapter 23: Ten Tips for Involving Your Family in a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle  317

Appendix: Metric Conversion Guide  323

Index  325

About the Author

James M. Rippe, MD, is a graduate of Harvard College andHarvard Medical School with post graduate training at MassachusettsGeneral Hospital. He is currently the Founder and Director of theRippe Lifestyle Institute and Professor of Biomedical Sciences atthe University of Central Florida.