Book excerpt: IF YOU HAVE CORONARY HEART DISEASE THIS BOOK COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE Coronary heart disease (CHD) takes the lives of 17 million people every year. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with CHD or suffered a heart attack, there are still ways to live a long, heart-healthy life. In this definitive guide to CHD, cardiologist Waqar Khan, MD, MPH, answers common questions and provides easy-to-follow advice for preventing heart attacks and keeping your heart in tip-top shape. Using real-life patient stories and the latest evidence-based science, BE HEART SMART: • Explains what CHD is and how it affects the body • Explores the root causes and risk factors for CHD • Describes the different types of heart attacks and their warning signs • Walks you through the tests used to diagnose coronary problems • Discusses the medications prescribed to combat CHD, including their side effects • Reveals the latest advancements in surgical and non-surgical interventions Written in easy-to-understand language, BE HEART SMART helps you better under-stand CHD and gives you the knowledge you need to take charge of your heart health. It’s just like having your own personal cardiologist on call!