Aseem Desai - Restart your heart : The Playbook for Thriving with AFib

This wonderful book explains for patients what physicians know about the important public health problem of atrial fibrillation. Dr. Desai is a cardiologist with special expertise in this area, and he presents clearly to patients what they should know about this problem in order to better guide and understand their many options available for therapy. Dr. Desai clarifies complex concepts with easy-to-understand language and provides an important perspective for patients. This book is a must-read for anyone who has atrial fibrillation.

Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, Martha M. and
Harold W. Kimmerling Professor of Cardiology,
Chair of Cardiology, VCU School of Medicine

In Restart Your Heart: The Playbook for Thriving with AFib, my former colleague at the University of Chicago, Dr. Aseem Desai, a veteran specialist in the treatment of patients with heart rhythm disorders, tackles the epidemic of atrial fibrillation by going straight to the patient. He provides expert advice beyond what patients will find in brochures and other patient-education materials, and beyond what most time-limited encounters with physicians and other health care providers can offer. This book empowers patients who often have a lifelong condition that can put them at risk of stroke, heart failure, and disabling symptoms.

Bradley P. Knight, MD, FHRS, Chester and Deborah Cooley
Distinguished Professor of Cardiology, Northwestern University,
Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Northwestern Medicine

Dr. Desai is a brilliant cardiologist and author who has clearly laid out an easy-to-follow playbook for anyone who is not willing to accept that atrial fibrillation is a lifelong condition that cant be beaten.

John Day, MD, FACC, FHRS, Past President of the Heart
Rhythm Society, Medical Director, Heart Rhythm Services,
Intermountain Healthcare, author of The Longevity Plan

Drawing on his own life lessons, his extensive knowledge as a cardiologist, his organized and intellectual thought in addressing problems, his compassion for those with an illness, and his philosophy to make life all it can be, Dr. Desai provides an important resource for patients. Those with atrial fibrillation will find this a meaningful and understandable guide with a scientific and human approach to this common problem.

Kelley M. Skeff, MD, PhD, George Deforest Barnett Professor in
Medicine, Stanford University, Co-Director, Stanford Faculty
Development Center for Medical Teachers,
author of Methods of Teaching Medicine

Atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder worldwide, is at epidemic proportions in our society. Restart Your Heart is a must-read and critical resource for anyone affected by AFib, including patients, families, and health care providers. Dr. Desai has provided an expertly laid out playbook for facing this disease using a unique combination of medical information, illustrations, and storytelling. In the realm of heart rhythm disorders, Dr. Desais incorporation of integrative health tools such as nutrition and mindfulness creates a new paradigm in managing AFib and promoting wellness.

Mark Hyman, MD, Head of Strategy and Innovation,
Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, and New York Times
bestselling author of Food Fix: How to Save Our Health, Our Economy, Our
Communities, and Our PlanetOne Bite at a Time

Dr. Aseem Desai is not only one of the most caring people I know, but he is unrelentingly dedicated to his life path by taking the time to write this groundbreaking book that is the defining word in overcoming AFib. In Restart Your Heart, Dr. Desai skillfully becomes a master teacher and guide who lets you know with uplifting simplicity how anyone can reclaim their life. This book is a gem.

Cathy Lee Crosby, actress, producer, star of film, television,
and stage, author of Let the Magic Begin

Dr. Desai has written an excellent and comprehensive book on AFib focused on the patient. The book is accurate, well written, and well illustrated. It distills complex information in a way that patients can understand. I am especially impressed with the many patient stories, which increase the impact of the book and make it easier to read.

Hugh Calkins, MD, FHRS, FACC, FAHA, FESC, Professor of Medicine,
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Director, Johns Hopkins Cardiac
Arrhythmia Services and Electrophysiology Laboratory

This is a lucidly written book by an experienced expert and succeeds in empowering the patient. It has meaningful content and nice illustrations that will be very useful for any patient with this arrhythmia. The information is also highly relevant for the loved ones who support the patient.

Kalyanam Shivkumar, MD, PhD, FHRS, Professor and Director,
UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center and EP Programs,
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

The premise of Restart Your Heart is to help you overcome AFib on your own terms. It includes explanations of the condition and treatments, resources for dealing with the emotional impact of AFib, and touching stories. This very practical guide is full of great charts and compelling explanations for anyone living with AFib.

Mellanie True Hills, CEO and Founder, StopAfib.org,
author of A Womans Guide to Saving Her Own Life

In this age of information, books such as Restart Your Heart: The Playbook for Thriving with AFib are vital in order to get reliable information and recommendations. In this book, Dr. Desai gives us up-to-date knowledge from an experienced physician, as well as wisdom from his own personal experiences. He speaks to our heads as well as our hearts and skillfully brings in the connection between mind, heart, and body. He discusses beneficial tools that may not be presented in the typical medical visit, such as mindfulness, nature, and music. Anyone who has been given a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, their family members, and practitioners alike will benefit from reading this book. It empowers patients living with atrial fibrillation to thrive and gives practitioners a valuable tool to educate their patients.

Sheila Patel, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Chopra Global

This book is intended as a reference volume only, not as a medical manual. The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, you should seek competent medical help. You should not begin a new health regimen without first consulting a medical professional.

Published by Greenleaf Book Group Press

Austin, Texas

www.gbgpress.com

Copyright 2020 Aseem Desai

All rights reserved.

www.draseemdesai.com

Thank you for purchasing an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright law. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder.

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For ordering information or special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Greenleaf Book Group at PO Box 91869, Austin, TX 78709, 512.891.6100.

Design and composition by Greenleaf Book Group

Cover design by Greenleaf Book Group

Illustrations by Samantha Stutzman

Publishers Cataloging-in-Publication data is available.

Print ISBN: 978-1-62634-708-3

eBook ISBN: 978-1-62634-709-0