Martin Juneau - Cardiovascular Disease: The Complete Introduction

A Trailblazer in a White Coat

Im extremely proud to write the foreword for this book by Martin Juneau. This is an opportunity for me to pay homage not only to the remarkable work he has been doing for years in the field of medical prevention but also to the exceptional qualities of this man I look on as a friend.

Dr. Martin Juneau is a trailblazer theres no other word for it. Thirty years ago, he chose to focus his energies on preventive medicine. It wasnt easy, at a time when the whole system revolved around curative medicine, to convince patients to change behaviours harmful to their health.

You need strong convictions, unwavering perseverance, and enormous credibility. You need someone like Martin Juneau, who has succeeded over the years in sowing in peoples minds the seeds of the idea that our lifestyle habits have a direct effect on our current and future quality of life. Im delighted to be following his example.

As far as I know, Martin was the first person to sound the alarm in the media about obesity, high blood pressure, and everything else that can negatively affect cardiovascular health. At the time, I watched him from afar, never suspecting that one day I would have the privilege of working with him.

We first met in the fall of 1998. Germain Thibault, my current associate, who was then a producer at Radio-Canada, had contacted me to invite me to participate in a news story on the Ironman competition. He wanted to have my cardiorespiratory condition assessed by an authority cardiologist Martin Juneau.

That was the beginning of a long collaboration. When we set up the board of directors for the Grand dfi Pierre Lavoie the Pierre Lavoie Challenge Martin was the first to agree to be a part of this new adventure, demonstrating that the trailblazer in his soul is always ready to lend a hand for a cause he believes in.

Today, when I have questions about the results of a new medical study, need statistics, or have to validate information for my lectures, I call Martin. Hes my scientific reference, and I think that Cardiovascular Health is going to make him one for many people.

In his book, Martin presents the most recent research on the prevention of chronic diseases in a way that everyone can understand. Science applied to good old common sense is what gives Cardiovascular Health so much vital energy. After reading it, youll know exactly what you have to do to maintain a high quality of life based on a few basic principles.

Im glad we now have a book dealing with preventive medicine in a way that makes us realize that prevention is easier than we think. Interviews and video clips are all very well, but a book can go much further to raise awareness especially a book like this one, written by Quebecs prevention pioneer. Im convinced that if you put the advice you find here into practice, youll feel better, and so will our society, for life!

Pierre Lavoie

Ironman and Co-Founder

of the Pierre Lavoie Challenge