Heart Frauds: The Misapplications of High Technology in Heart Disease

What a revelation. So glad to have read this book. Such a shame that the medical elite have to keep the American public in the dark on the more up to date science on why we are so heart attack prone in this country. I am so glad Dr. McGee is not afaid to tell the truth! People have to be more invovled and take more initiative in their health care and truly do some of their own research and don't just take their doctor's word for it as most doctors just parrot the party line or are too busy to find out the latest science on the why's of bodily manfunctions in their patients. Need more preventative options instead of just masking the real problems with a pill or diet that really doesn't work. Treat the cause not the symptoms. Thanks Dr. McGee for enlightening me on a very important subject! Oh, and this book read like a murder mystery! After the first two chapters, I was hooked and couldn't stop reading it. Sincerely, Dotty B.

Dr. McGee has written a very informative book on the subject. Contrary to what the public is told; cardiovascular disease has rapidly declined over the past decades. And, the reduction in mortality is not due to improvement in medical technology but simply a boost in the public's intake of vitamin supplements including anti-oxidants such as vit. A, C, and E. Dr. McGee is not a conspiracy theorist, but a well-established doctor who is more respectful of the scientific method than the medical establishment. He supports every single statement with scientific studies. At the end of the book, he discloses an excellent bibliography with a summary of the major studies he refers to in order to advance his arguments. He uncovers how the AMA has ignored such scientific studies to advance the lucrative practice of bypass, angioplasty, and cholesterol lowering drug prescriptions. All those practices have made a lot of money for the medical establishment. But, they have not helped the public's health whatsoever. The author indicates that the vast majority of bypass surgeries are unnecessary. Angiograms are helplessly inaccurate. There is a more accurate test (quantitative angioplasty) that is never used on patients outside of research studies. Cholesterol-lowering drugs are ineffective. Studies indicate they marginally reduce mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease; but boost overall death rates due to much higher cancer rates. In the author's mind, the whole focus on cholesterol is misguided. Studies have not found a significant link between cholesterol and heart disease. He states that one should focus instead on oxidation by avoiding foods that contain oxidized fats (trans fats), taking anti-oxidant vitamin supplements, eating fresh fruits and vegetables. And, eating eggs is just fine. No study has shown any link between egg consumption and heart disease. He also rebuts a few other myths. Stress is not nearly as bad as people think. Studies found no correlation between Type A temperament and cardiovascular disease. Also, the benefits of aerobic exercise are in the middle intensity zone. High intensity exercise (triathlon training) is not better for you than just walking at a moderate pace. If you enjoyed this book, I also strongly recommend two others: Lynne McTaggart's "What Doctors Don't Tell You" and Nortin Hadler's "The Last Well Person." These two books cover not just cardiovascular diseases but just about every major ailment. The books messages converge. Western medicine is costly, overly invasive, and not always effective. The medical establishment compromised by commercial funding misinterprets scientific studies to protect its existing economic interest. Each author supports his opinion with referenced scientific studies. They all provide vital information on how to maintain your health and sanity while navigating the Western medical establishment that can be helpful, but not always.

Very readable, some typos--but just ignore them. Good for laymen(I am a health professional). Everybody should have a copy of this book BEFORE they go to a cardiologist. One small beef--he doesn't say what Pritikin died from: suicide. A VERY lowfat diet will leave you depleted of B-vitamins, which can lead to depression...suicide being the next step.

How many physicians have researched diseases, nutrition and medical practices in cultures with no cardiovascular problems or heart attacks. The author conducted extensive research in Hainan Island (China) with an average life span of 87 and no such "modern" problems.The first half of the book exposes current emergency room practice of giving (inaccurate) angiograms, recommending (unnecessary) angioplasty or bypass surgery and "balooning" our U.S. Medical costs. Even though better, less expensive alternatives exist, who will champion them? Certainly not established cardiologists and heart surgeons who he humorously compares to "hold up" bandits of the wild west with their masks. This may seem extreme, and he admits they mean no harm but are creatures of "misinformation", and peoples enfatuation with "technological solutions"..The second half of the book explores the history of our poor nutrition: exhorbitant sugar intake (soft drinks), processed and canned foods (white breads), lack of fruits and vegetables, etc. The only saving grace has been our intake of Vitamins which has had a positive influence. Studies & footnotes are cited throughout (you can obtain at your medical library) verifying claims made. The author casts AHA and AMA members who may agree with him in an awkward position of being "captured" and unable to speak out for fear of being austracized. Often, they mean well but have been nurtured in a "left brain" (detailed) specialty environment and not trained to look at the big picture. This book is reminiscient of the best seller, "Making of a Surgeon" by William Nolen by the fervor and dedication of the author agaist all odds to reveal a "flawed system".The point of the book is to expose Heart Frauds, describe their history, and show better alternatives to angioplasty and bypass surgery based on well-documented studies, unknown to most physicians. There's plenty for all to learn, especially physicians. Beware, as you may find this book may change your lifestyle (and lifespan). You may swear off Krispy Kreme doughnuts, soft drinks, processed and canned foods and even insist on alternatives to angioplasty and bypass surgery should you find yourself in the cardiac unit of your local hospital.

Daring, devastating, deadly accurate, Dr. McGee has exposed all aspects of the cardiovascular complex, from bad diet advice from the AHA and the NHLBI of NIH (Heart Institute), to useless bypass surgery based on inferior angiograms. He has supported the use of a number of supplements for treatment of cardiovascular diease rather than toxic prescription drugs, and the use of EDTA chelation therapy for atherosclerosis. Easy to read, well-referenced, this is probably the best guide available today. The first editorial review is quite accurate. Five star!