Strong Women, Strong Hearts

by Miriam E. Nelson, Alice H. Lichtenstein, Lawrence Lindner

A comprehensive guide for women shares up-to-date advice on diet, exercise, weight loss, stress reduction, and other strategies that may help prevent or reverse heart disease, in a volume designed to inform readers on their risks and treatment options. By the author of Strong Women, Strong Bones.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 1985

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good tool for women who have cardiac issues. I borrowed it from the library more for the fitness and nutrition tips. The book covered the basics of which I already know. I do think it is important to mention that the author states her ideal food pyramid is inverted from the present one. Many experts also feel that the grain serving size on the food pyramid is too high and that grains and fruits/veggies should be swapped and the emphasis should be on veggies with just a few servings of fruit (2-3). Working in the medical field I would also suggest this to women who have a history of cardiac problem, higher risk for cardiac problems, and women who may be having cardiac testing and procedures. The simple explanations made this a great book!

[Joy Weese Moll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s my Valentine’s day present for women and their hearts. The first note that I took from this book was that heart disease kills more than ten times more women in the US each year than breast cancer does. Ten times! Did you know that heart disease kills more women than men each year? That’s been true every year since 1984. Those statistics makes Strong Women, Strong Hearts an important book for all women, I think!

Strong Women, Strong Hearts is divided into three parts. The first section covers the current and emerging research on heart disease, particularly as it applies to women.

The meat of the book is in the second part: The Strong Women, Strong Hearts Program. It starts with diet, including (after all the appropriate explanation) a kind of mix and match eating plan that manages to be both simple and flexible. The exercise chapter includes a tool I hadn’t seen before–the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) which helps you decide if you should consult with a doctor before starting an exercise regime. The next chapter has “Ten Tough Strategies for Weight Loss –That Work!” The final piece of the program is about mental and emotional health — learning to relax and address stress and depression.

The final part is about the medications and procedures that women with heart problems may need, with a chapter about how to talk to yourself, your friends, your doctor, and emergency room personnel since too many heart problems in women aren’t recognized due to atypical symptoms.

More details on my book blog: Book Review: Strong Women, Strong Hearts by Miriam Nelson and Alice Lichtenstein

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good basic overview of things that women can do specifically to reduce their risk of heart attack and heart disease. I read it because of my recent issues with HBP, and I definitely felt like I was younger than the intended audience... but the suggestions were good ones that I plan to incorporate.

Key thoughts I took away:
Exercise ability is so linked to the risk of death that a sedentary woman with few other risk factors has SIX times the risk of dying from heart disease as an active woman with the same risk factors.

Whole grains are really important, and I need 4-9 servings daily. Heart healthy proteins are another area I need to focus on. And finally, I'm going to add in some meditation.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful collection of sewn toys and household items. Included are items such as: easy gifts; toys; purses; pillows; placemats; fabric pictures pincushions; ornaments and a playtime quilt. The patterns are simple so they are quick to make and they use bright colours that make them a fun item to use and/or give. Whip up something tonight!

[Sam (Hissing Potatoes) · Rating 2 out of 5]

All but a couple of the projects are clearly meant for kids (despite the author's insistence that they're for adults too). There are almost no images/diagrams of step-by-step directions to help with comprehension. The finished products look unpolished.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good description of heart issues for women, and has the usual adivse as to diet and exercise. I copied some meal plans and recipes that sound good.

[Kathy Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to know how to keep my heart strong.

[Linda Hartlaub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it's an older book, the information included is worth knowing and heeding, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.