February is Heart Health Month

     Expand your knowledge of heart health with these books.

New American Heart Association Cookbook, 8th Edition, by the American Heart Association, offers over 600 heart-healthy recipes, 150 of them new, with accompanying nutritional analyses. Also included is updated information on diet, exercise and lifestyle.

The Great Cholesterol Myth: Why Lowering Your Cholesterol Won’t Prevent Heart Disease – and the Statin-Free Plan that Will, by Jonny Bowden and Stephen Sinatra, presents a four-part program to minimize and manage heart disease, not by relying on statin drugs to control cholesterol levels, but by easing such risk factors as inflammation, triglycerides, belly fat, high glycemic levels and more.

Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease, written by Janet Bond Brill, a dietician, who describes her plan to prevent further cardiac issues by prescribing such menu choices as Mediterranean-style diet, good carbs (i.e. oatmeal, popcorn, etc.), fish and red wine in moderation.

The Buena Salud Guide for a Healthy Heart, by Jane L. Delgado, a physician and president of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, identifies the ten points of a heart-healthy lifestyle, and then follows with brief descriptions of various cardiac problems. A section on diagnostic tests and procedures, and where to get further valid information follows.

Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life!: the Mayo Clinic Plan for Preventing and Conquering Heart Disease presents the 10 steps to heart health, the types of heart problems, diagnostic tests to recognize them, and activities to boost your nutritional, physical and mental health levels.

The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Speaking with Your Cardiologist, written by Curtis M. Rimmerman, describes how to choose a cardiologist, the different cardiologist specialties, and the various diagnoses, diagnostic tests, treatment options and medications available.

Best Practices for a Healthy Heart: How to Stop Heart Disease Before or After it Starts, by Sarah Samaan, a cardiologist, helps the patient take charge of his or her cardiac health through the monitoring of weight, cholesterol and sugar levels, avoiding addictions, exercising, dealing with stress, and more.

September is Healthy Aging Month

September is Healthy Aging Month. Here are some books to celebrate.

Living Agelessly: Answers to your Most Common Questions about Aging Gracefully, is written by Linda Altoonian, the author of the “Dear Ageless” column from the AP Wire Service. Intended for the aging and their caregivers, the book focuses on enjoying life by taking care of health, nutrition, physical and mental fitness, and safety issues. Tips also are given on legal, social and spiritual concerns.

Younger (Thinner) You Diet: How Understanding Your Brain Chemistry Can Help You Lose Weight, Reverse Aging, and Fight Disease, written by Eric R. Braverman, M.D. is a guide to changing the brain’s chemistry in order to slow the aging process and lose weight. Dr. Braverman demonstrates how specific foods, nutrients, teas and spices will boost the body’s production of dopamine in order to burn fat, avoid the effects of aging organs and ameliorate certain health conditions such as heart disease, arthritis and more.

The Longevity Prescription: the 8 Proven Keys to a Long, Healthy Life is written by Robert N. Butler, M.D., who founded the first department of geriatric medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital and was the founding director of the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Butler discusses the eight areas in which improvements can lead to a longer and healthier life. They are: nutrition, exercise, sleep, relaxation, medical care, mental vitality, love and intimacy, and community connections. He also advises on how to handle special health challenges such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Your Skin, Younger: New Science Secrets to Naturally Younger Skin is written by Mark G. Rubin and Phillip M. Levy. These two dermatologists present the natural approach to anti-aging the skin by lessening the impact of poor diet/nutrition, stress and intestinal function. The book includes healthy recipes and food preparation methods, relaxation techniques and exercises.

Beyond the Cleavage, written by former movie star Raquel Welch, presents her life story, personal philosophy and health and beauty advice in one package.

February is National Heart Awareness Month

Here are three recently published books that focus on various aspects of heart health.

American Heart Association Complete Guide to Women’s Heart Health: the Go Red for Women Way to Well-Being and Vitality. This book provides advice for maintaining heart health and keeping heart disease at bay, for women from their 20s through their 70s and beyond. Coverage includes information on a nutritious diet, beneficial exercise and control of risk factors. Also addressed are issues such as smoking, pregnancy, menopause and hormone therapy, aging, diabetes and other diseases.

American Heart Association Healthy Family Meals: 150 Recipes Everyone Will Love. The heart-healthy recipes in this book focus mainly on dinner entrees for the busy family, accompanied by side dishes of soup, salad, vegetables and grains. Dessert is not forgotten! Also offered are tips on grocery shopping and eating out.

Exercises for Heart Health: the Complete Plan for Heart Attack, Heart Surgery, and Cardiovascular Disease Recovery and Prevention. The book prescribes an easy-to-follow exercise plan for cardiac health and muscle strength. It includes a main section on the exercises, accompanied by many photos and detailed written instructions. It also has an overview of the causes of cardiac disease and recent clinical treatments for cardiac conditions.