February 09, 2005

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Seven Steps to Stop a Heart Attack

by Health Library

Despite significant improvements in the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease, heart attack remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NLHBI), nearly 500,000 Americans die each year from heart attack.

To raise awareness and foster a heart-healthy lifestyle, the American Heart Association has designated February as American Heart Month. Just in time for American Heart Month is a new book from Dr. Bob Arnot, called "Seven Steps to Stop a Heart Attack." The book, on the shelves of the Stanford Health Library, shows readers how to prevent and survive heart attack.

Arnot's name may sound familiar to you. He is an NBC medical news correspondent and a highly regarded physician. After his father, also a physician, died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack, Arnot realized that his father's death may have been preventable. To help others avoid the same fate, Arnot wrote this practical and up-to-date guide.

Arnot outlines seven steps to avoid death from heart attack. These include: detecting warning signs; assessing risk; receiving a correct diagnosis; and getting appropriate medications and procedures. Arnot reminds readers that there is not a "one-size-fits-all" plan for treating heart disease, emphasizing that it is of the utmost importance to learn as much as possible about one's individual condition and be aggressive in treating it.

Throughout the book, Arnot tells the stories of individuals, many of whom died of heart attack, discussing the mistakes they made and illustrating what they might have done to save their own lives. He features people who have taken care of themselves the right way. He cites Vice President Cheney as an example of a person who inherited poor cardiovascular health but through a focus on heart health, has extended his productive life by nearly two decades already. He also quotes experts in the field and uses their sometimes contradictory advice to provide readers with the most up-to-date information available. The book is exceptionally readable and easy to comprehend, but it is not "dumbed down." Arnot assumes the basic intelligence of his readers. He encourages people to learn all they can about their cardiovascular health and to make the important lifestyle changes needed to save their own lives.

Along with "Seven Steps to Stop a Heart Attack," the Health Library has more than 200 titles on the shelves of its three branches dedicated to educating readers about heart disease. The Health Library Web site (http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu/resources/internet/bodysystems/cardio_intro.html) contains even more valuable information. For more information, come in to one of the Health Library branches, at the Stanford Shopping Center near Bloomingdales'; on the third floor of Stanford Hospital or on the main level of Stanford's new Cancer Center; or call (650) 725-8400.

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