Praise for Be Heart Smart
Be Heart Smart is a comprehensive analysis of the risk factors, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of coronary heart disease. It should be read by anyone with a family history of a heart attack or a fear of experiencing one. If everyone in the United States followed the recommendations, tens of thousands of lives would be saved each year.
Robert Pearl, MD , bestselling author of Mistreated: Why We Think Were Getting Good Health Care and Why Were Usually Wrong
Dr. Khan has distilled the complexities of heart disease to make them easily understandable by the laypersonour patients. It is well-written, informative, and fun to read. It offers excellent advice, which reflects the experience and good judgment of the author. I highly recommend this for all patients with heart and vascular problems.
Mahesh Ramchandani MD, FRCS , Chief of Cardiac Surgery at DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center at Houston Methodist Hospital
Dr. Khan is a terrific writer, and his book on heart health is the best Ive readclear, focused, and friendly. I intend to read it regularly to maintain my heart. I was especially happy to see him point to depression as a problem. As I would put it, the soul, not just the body, can have a heart attack.
Thomas Moore , author of the New York Times bestseller Care of the Soul
A writers most challenging task is to take a complicated, angst-ridden subject, and render it simple and even enjoyable. Dr. Khan has accomplished this feat with the human heart. Consider this book the essential owners manual for that life-sustaining machine.
Jay Heinrichs , author of the New York Times bestseller Thank You for Arguing
Be Heart Smart is the practical, pragmatic, down-to-earth book for patients that every cardiology patient should read, and every cardiologist wishes they had written. Im definitely purchasing copies for my family!
Halee Fischer-Wright, MD , CEO of the Medical Group Management Association and bestselling author of Back to Balance
Be Heart Smart is written by a very experienced physician who has been diagnosing and treating patients for many years. This book shares real-life experiences that Dr. Khan has had with patients with different forms of coronary artery disease and informs patients about causes, consequences, optimal treatments, and efforts to prevent them. I recommend this book to all patients who have coronary artery disease and for their family and friends.
James T. Willerson, MD , President Emeritus of Texas Heart Institute, former editor of the American Heart Association journal Circulation , Past-President of the University of Texas Health Science Center, and author of numerous books, including Coronary Artery Disease and Cardiovascular Medicine
Be Heart Smart is easy to read and well-directed at the laymanvery comprehensive for the patient concerned about CHD.
Morton J. Kern, MD , Past President of Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and author of The Cardiac Catheterization Handbook
This is a practical guide to help individuals understand the signs and symptoms of heart disease and the approach to both treat and prevent heart disease.
Christie Ballantyne, MD , Chief of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research at Baylor College of Medicine
Dr. Khan has delivered a valuable read for anyone concerned about heart health. Clear, well organized, and potentially life-saving information is presented in an easy-to-understand format. Well done!
Rick Kirschner, MD , bestselling author of How to Deal with Difficult People
This excellent book is written with great clarity in a way that a lay readership can gain a better understanding of the protocols for treating and possibly reducing the risk of developing heart disease.
Marcus Conyers, PhD , author of Positively Smarter: Science and Strategies for Increasing Happiness, Achievement, and Well-Being
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Be Heart Smart
Text Copyright 2021 Waqar Khan, M.D., M.P.H.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN: 978-1-57826-891-7
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.
Printed in the United States
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DISCLAIMER
Be Heart Smart offers health, fitness, and nutritional information and is for educational purposes only. This book is intended to supplement, not replace, the professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of health conditions from a trained health professional. Please consult your physician or other healthcare professional before beginning or changing any health or fitness program to make sure that it is appropriate for your needsespecially if you are pregnant or have a family history of any of medical concerns, illnesses, or risks. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Stop exercising immediately if you experience faintness, dizziness, pain, or shortness of breath at any time. Please do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have read in this guide.
To my parents: I am who I am because of you.
To my wife: for all your consistent support and for believing in me.
To my children: You are the spice of my life and you make life so much fun.
INTRODUCTION
W hy did this happen to me?
I often hear this question from my patients after they W W have suffered a heart attack, experienced a frightening episode of chest pain, or been diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD). As a board-certified interventional cardiologist in private practice for more than 20 years in suburban Houston, Ive heard this question from people of all ages and all walks of life executives, construction workers, tech industry leaders, teachers, firefighters, pilots, stay-at-home moms, and more.
Countless times in my career, Ive told my patients about the causes and risk factors for CHD, which leads to an estimated 735,000 heart attacks per year. And Ive filled them in on the latest treatment options and lifestyle changes that can improve their health and help them prevent future heart attacks. But like most busy doctors, I dont always have time to fully explain everything about CHD and the exciting advances in its treatment. Thats where this book comes in. I wanted to find a way to give my patients and others detailed information they can use to take charge of their heart health.