HEARTPLAN: A Complete Program for Total Fitness of Heart and Mind

In down-to-earth style, two doctors (one a cardiac specialist, the other a psychiatrist) explain the heart and its workings, and citing numerous case histories, demon-state how a combination of stress, emotions and unhealthy living habits can trigger a heart attack, make the blood pressure shoot up or clog arteries. Questionnaires help readers pinpoint such potentially dangerous pitfalls as the so-called Sisyphus syndrome (typical of perfectionist-workaholics), Type A behavior traits, and the frustrations of emotional entrapment. Sprinkled with encouraging, upbeat examples, the second half of the book is a laundry list of what to do and what not to do about reducing stress, rearranging priorities, changing eating and drinking habits, etc. Special chapters describe various types of heart surgery and outline advances in the treament of heart disease. No startling revelations here, but, still, this book makes a convincing argument for people to mend their ways, be kind to their hearts and save their lives.