Heal your heart - K. Lance Gould

Dr. K. Lance Gould's goals in this work are better survival and improved health through the prevention and reversal of heart and vascular disease. His programme provides practical, do-it-yourself steps and explores options beyond traditional invasive medical procedures for more definitive solutions.;Designed for the general reader, this manual can be used by anyone. Scientific information and practical guidelines are presented in simple, full-colour illustrations, summary graphs or tables with brief, non-technical text that incorporates medical knowledge. Dr. Gould also describes how the heart works and how cardiovascular disease develops and progresses. He introduces readers to non-invasive medical imaging technologies such as cardiac PET that may potentially provide early diagnosis for people who may be at risk. Extensive scientific references at the end of the book document Dr. Gould's conclusions.;Dr. Gould demonstrates how patients and physicians can work together to conquer one of the relentless causes of disability and death. He explains what questions to ask medical staff and how to manage your own reversal programme including your doctors, whether specialists or general practitioners. He also advises which cholesterol-lowering medications are safe and effective and when they should be prescribed.;The principles of reversing cardiovascular disease in this programme may be adapted to various lifestyles, habits, tastes, time constraints and personalities. People have different needs for accomplishing the same goal, and each person needs an individualized, flexible programme incorporating the fundamental steps into a daily routine. Dr. Gould's programme avoids multiple medical consultations and special facilities or equipment. The essentials are healthy living habits combined with medical management at home and work.;This reversal programme may replace surgical or catheter procedures for treating cardiovascular disease in most patients. In some specific cases, some people may also need balloon dilation or bypass surgery. Dr. Gould furnishes the criteria used to identify the minority of patients who need them. For this minority, Dr. Gould's reversal programme in addition to surgical treatment should provide optimal outcome by dramatically lowering the further risk. For most people, this programme produces a sense of well-being and reduces or eliminates symptoms.