By Lois M. Collins
Deseret Morning News
When most people consider the implications heart disease might hold for them, they think in terms of "it runs in my family" or "it doesn't."
And despite being bombarded by stories about the latest research, much of what we retain about heart disease is outdated. But in no field of medical research has a greater body of knowledge been gathered, with new information emerging all the time.
That's where Christian Wilde's book, "Hidden Causes of Heart Attack and Stroke," published recently by Abigon Press ($19.95) becomes invaluable for anyone who wants to know not only about heart disease, but about preventing it.
It's written in one of the more reader-friendly formats and is easy-to-understand. No dense medical prose in this 408-page book.
But it's also up-to-date, with information (unheard of a few years ago) on inflammation's role in heart disease and how a simple test measuring C-reactive protein can detect risk for both heart attack and stroke.
He also writes about the independent risk factor for heart disease posed by homocysteine, lists common low-grade infections that may put someone at risk for heart attack and stroke and identifies other risk factors, such as fibrinogen. And sleep apnea.
There's a chapter, for instance, on how anger and hostility can be factors in development of a heart attack or stroke.
Another chapter looks at the link between heart disease and periodontal disease.
But the thing that sets this book apart, aside from its simple presentation, is not just how thoroughly Wilde examines the topic, but the resources he's pulled together to suggest solutions. The premise behind the book is that you can both detect and neutralize heart disease. So he spends a fair amount of ink explaining prevention measures, and not just fairly traditional advice like diet, exercise and don't smoke.
He presents the most recent thinking on what he calls "heart-friendly" supplements like fish oil and Coenzyme Q 10, backing it up with studies.
He even tackles some of the technology of heart repair.
And lest anyone question the science that goes with the readable prose, the foreword was written by Dr. Karol Watson, co-director of the Program in Preventive Cardiology and director of Lipid and Hypertension Management at University of California-Los Angeles. Testimonials come from other respected physicians working in heart-smart places like the Mayo Clinic.
THE BOOKWATCH
Using a large font size especially suitable for the needs of older readers–– Hidden Causes of Heart Attack or Stroke by author researcher and lecturer Christian Wilde is a superbly organized and presented “reader friendly” health guide to being proactive and taking good care of your cardiovascular health. This book is a highly recommended supplement to health and fitness reference shelves—particularly for the layman.
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 We CAN know more than most doctors!, February 13, 2008
I am doing heart research at Winthrop University, and since heart disease runs in my family, I am interested to find out why so many of my ancestors suddenly died from a heart attack. If they come out with a new edition of this book I won't hesitate to read it.
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Clevland Seniors Review Hidden Causes of Heart Attack and Stroke
By Christian Wilde
Many of us have felt secure if our cholesterol level was below a certain level. But the author did a 5 year study that indicated that 50% of all heart attacks occur among people with normal cholesterol. So having good cholesterol numbers are certainly not a guarantee against heart attacks.
We all want to lower our chances of attack. We know that risk factors include
- advanced age,
- smoking,
- high cholesterol,
- high blood pressure,
- diabetes
- and family history.
But heart attacks and strokes are still occurring even with patients who exercise and don't have the other common risk factors. What can you do? This book suggests other risk factors that are not well-known, but that can make a major difference. The author says that 80% of the dysfunctions do not show up in the routine blood tests most of us receive during our annual physical.
This book is 400 pages in a large font for easy reading. It is loaded with case studies and chapters on particular areas such as Women and Heart Disease.
I think it is particularly valuable as a reference to begin an intelligent dialog with your own doctor. You care more about your own health than anyone else possibly could and you need to claim responsibility for that - not just assume that your doctor, and routine tests will suffice. As he says, the three words you don't want to say are "You're the doctor."
This book will also be valuable if you have heart disease in your family. It explains that heart disease begins in the teen years and offers hope for those who have suffered the premature loss of relatives.
It's a thorough and facinating book.
