View source for Make Yourself Immune to Heart Attack by Simon Oxford

{{infobox1
|title=Make Yourself Immune to Heart Attack
|author=Simon Oxford
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=Sensible advice from a layman (but checked by a medical practitioner) about how to look after - and improve - your heart.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=153
|publisher=Shieldcrest
|date=February 2012
|isbn=978-1907629310
|website=http://www.Makeyourselfimmune.com
|cover=1907629319
|aznuk=1907629319
|aznus=1907629319
}}

The older you get, the more likely it is that you will suffer from some form of heart disease or even die from it.  Many deaths occur without warning in people who are apparently healthy - so it's not something that you can wait to be diagnosed and plan on doing something about at that stage.  Whatever your age there's a real possibility that you can make a significant improvement in your health ''and'' improve the quality of your life.  I came to read this book because family members of my generation were suffering ''severe'' heart problems and it was a wake-up call that was impossible to ignore.

Simon Oxford came to write the book because his father suffered from heart problems for decades and died three years ago.  For much of the time that he suffered ''infirmity and incapacity'' the treatment was reactive - alleviating the symptoms rather than looking to prevention and Oxford came to the conclusion that even if his father had not lived a day longer than he did, he could have had a better quality of life if certain steps had been taken - mostly by his father and mostly requiring effort and dedication from his father rather than any medical intervention.

So what are Oxford's qualifications for writing this book?  Well, apparently none other than the fact that he's been involved in the treatment given to his father.  What he has written has been checked by a doctor - Dr Naushin-Aslamkhan-Chaudhry MBBS MBA and you can check her qualification on [http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/naushin-aslamkhan-chaudhry/1a/4a0/296 LinkedIn] if you wish.  There are disclaimers, as I would expect, that you should consult a doctor if you are in any doubt about the advice given and also that as with any regime of this nature there are always those who will disagree with it.  To my mind Oxford's main qualification for writing this book is that he doesn't write in jargon and seems to have a basic understanding of what information people need.

''Heart Attack'' is one of those phrases which is much bandied about and frequently misunderstood.  Oxford begins by giving simple explanations of this and other heart problems which are regularly encountered and then goes on to look at the causes and risk factors.  I was particularly impressed by his explanations of the effects of high blood pressure, salt and stress.  When he looks at prevention he readily explains treatments and current thinking as to whether or not they are effective.  It's sensible and gives you a real feeling that there are things which you can do to improve your health.

As for the title of the book - ''Make Yourself Immune to Heart Attack'' I did wonder if this was hyperbole but Oxford gives his ten rules - his ''preferred strategy'' and whilst I can see the sense of most if not all of it I acknowledge that it would mean some dramatic changes of lifestyle and wondered whether I would live longer - or if it would just seems longer.  He's realistic though and acknowledges that  lot of people will prefer to go with his alternative strategy which gives advices and choices which most people would be able to accommodate.

Think of the book as a starting point, something to get you thinking about the choices you want to make, but run it past your doctor if you're in any doubt.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

Stress is one of the major risk factors in heart attacks.  You might like to have a look at [[The De-Stress Diet: The Revolutionary Lifestyle Plan for a Calmer, Slimmer You by Charlotte Watts and Anna Magee]].

{{amazontext|amazon=1907629319}}
{{amazonUStext|amazon=1907629319}}

{{commenthead}}