Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain by Bradley Bale and Amy Doneen

“’Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain’ will help you change your body, heart and mind. I can’t recommend this groundbreaking book from Bale and Doneen enough. Fascinating and filled with so much actionable information, you’ll want to read every page.” 
– Daniel G. Amen, MD, author of ‘Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and You, Happier’

Were you aware that in the United States, a heart attack or stroke occurs every forty seconds, and dementia develops in someone every sixty-five seconds?

In their groundbreaking book ‘Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain,’ internationally acclaimed cardiovascular experts Dr. Bradley Bale and Dr. Amy Doneen introduce an innovative approach to prevent these catastrophic occurrences and even reverse the underlying condition responsible for them.

In this review, we will take a closer look at the book and learn about how to prevent heart and brain diseases before they are even evident.

About the authors

Dr. Bradley Bale and Dr. Amy Doneen are renowned international leaders in the field of preventive medicine, specialising in heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and chronic disease prevention.

They are the co-founders of the BaleDoneen Method, established in 1999, which has been proven effective in identifying, stabilising, and reversing arterial disease through peer-reviewed studies.

Both doctors hold academic appointments at prominent institutions and have contributed significantly to the field of preventive medicine. Dr. Doneen operates the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center in Spokane, Washington, where she provides patient care and trains healthcare providers in the BaleDoneen Method.

What is the book about?

“Superior doctors prevent the disease. Mediocre doctors treat the disease before it is evident. Inferior doctors treat the full-blown disease.”

The book ‘Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain’ aims to enable readers to boost their cardiovascular health and prevent arterial disease by following a personalised plan from Dr. Bradley Bale and Dr. Amy Doneen, the founders of the renowned Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center.

The BaleDoneen Method takes a holistic approach that goes beyond individual medical specialities like cardiology, neurology, and endocrinology. It aims to optimise the health of the heart, brain, and other vital organs, as well as the blood vessels that supply them.

‘Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain’ presents a comprehensive program designed to prevent chronic diseases and memory loss in people of all ages, regardless of their body type, medical history, or genes. It includes precision medical methods to prevent ageing-related diseases, information on the best and worst supplements and foods for heart health, ten lifestyle moves to reduce dementia risk, insights into genes that elevate cardiovascular risk, and the top ten heart attack prevention tips for women.

With its focus on reclaiming health and introducing simple screening tests and diagnostics, ‘Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain’ transforms the concept of preventative medicine and holistic health. Drs. Bale and Doneen’s approach eliminates the need to visit different specialists for various body parts, making it a crucial read for those seeking to prioritise their health and longevity.

Table of contents

• Part One: The Breakthrough

Key takeaways from ‘Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain’

The book emphasises the link between cardiovascular and dental health. Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, makes you more susceptible to various chronic conditions including heart and brain ones.

In fact, people with periodontitis are 2.5 times more likely to suffer heart attacks and 70% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those with healthy gums.

It is advised to partner with your dental provider and establish objectives to elevate your oral health to a higher standard; request your dental provider to screen for periodontal and endodontic issues and assess you for high-risk oral bacteria; maintain regular brushing and flossing routines as they contribute to disinfecting your entire mouth; and schedule dental cleanings at least twice a year or as recommended by your dental provider.

Intermittent fasting is usually taken as a method of losing weight. However, it offers a multitude of cardiovascular benefits, as evidenced by new and recent studies. Adopting this eating regimen can help prevent the development of arterial plaque by reducing cholesterol trapping, lowering endothelial inflammation, and decreasing levels of harmful particles like small, dense LDL and ApoB. Moreover, individuals practising intermittent fasting can experience significant improvements in their arterial wellness, including reduced risk for blood clots.

The book provides an example of a clinical trial conducted in 2021 that further revealed that intermittent fasting leads to decreased body fat, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers, while also improving blood vessel function, food metabolism, and gut health.

Chronic stress can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The activation of the amygdala, a brain area involved in stress, can lead to arterial inflammation and further contribute to cardiovascular risks.

‘Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain’ suggests incorporating mindful meditation and prayer into daily life can effectively reduce stress and anxiety, promoting better arterial wellness. Mindfulness has shown remarkable health benefits, including preserving brain sharpness, reducing inflammation and stress, alleviating chest pain and stress in heart patients, lowering blood pressure, and combating or preventing depression. By adopting mindful practices, individuals can not only enhance their psychological well-being but also protect their cardiovascular health, making it a vital tool for overall wellness.

Overall rating & strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

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Best quotes from ‘Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain’

“Our patients are often shocked to learn that most medical providers still screen patients for arterial disease in the same way they did in the 1990s, when Bill Clinton was president, the macarena was the hottest dance craze... In that era, a then-new screening tool called Framingham Risk Score (FRS) was introduced to help providers identify which patients might be at increased risk for heart attacks and strokes, so they could receive preventive care to protect their arterial health.”

“The researchers report that patients with one copy of the gene responsible for elevated Lp(a) levels are 58 percent more likely to develop coronary heart disease (CHD) while taking a statin for prevention than those without the gene, while risk for CHD is more than doubled in statin users with two copies of the Lp(a) gene!”

“For decades, LDL cholesterol has been vilified as public enemy number one by the medical profession. Yet none of the hundreds of cholesterol studies performed to date has ever shown that LDL causes heart attacks.”

Final takeaway

‘Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain’ by Dr. Bradley Bale and Dr. Amy Doneen is a groundbreaking book that offers a comprehensive and innovative approach to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and dementia, while optimising overall cardiovascular health.

This book is highly recommended for individuals seeking to proactively improve their lifestyle and protect their health. By delving into the topics covered in ‘Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain,’ readers can gain valuable insights and actionable steps to lead a heart-healthy life.

Where to buy

You may purchase ‘Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain’ on Amazon at the best price. It is available in hardcover, audio and Kindle versions, so you may choose an option that appeals to you the most.