Heart disease is the most deadly disease in the United States, accounting for nearly one-third of deaths. The American Medical Association (AMA) announces the release of the American Medical Association Guide to Preventing and Treating Heart Disease: Essential Information You and Your Family Need to Know about Having a Healthy Heart (Wiley; January 2008; $25.95; Cloth; ISBN: 978-0471-75024-6). This 328-page book published by Wiley offers essential tools and timely information on the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

"Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women, making education and awareness critically important," said AMA President, Ron Davis, MD. "With this new guide, the AMA hopes to help people understand the best ways to prevent and treat common heart problems, from prehypertension, high blood pressure, and heart attack to stroke and congestive heart failure."

The guide features practical strategies for lifestyle changes, advice about warning signs to report to a doctor, guidance on heart-healthy ways to exercise, and a section on the unique risks and symptoms for women. The book also addresses the relationship between heart disease and dietary influences, such as cholesterol and sodium.

This book can be purchased at retail and online bookstores and also directly from the AMA Bookstore.

About the authors

The American Medical Association has been the leading group of medical experts in the United States and one of the most respected health organizations in the world for more than 150 years. Martin S. Lipsky, MD (Rockford, IL) is Regional Dean at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford. Marla Mendelson, MD (Chicago, IL) is Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Stephen Havas, MD, MPH (Chicago, IL) is former Vice President of Medicine, Science, and Public Health at the American Medical Association. Michael Miller, MD (Baltimore, MD) is Associate Professor of Medicine and Director for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

American Medical Association