Cardiac Champs was selected as an award winning Finalist in the "Best Books 2010" Awards sponsored by USA Book News. It is a self-help book that teaches people with heart disease, particularly heart attack survivors, how to live a healthy, vigorous, happy life while effectively managing the emotional turmoil that so often accompanies heart disease. Dr. McConnell's doctoral degree in counselling psychology from McGill University and his personal history with heart disease give him a unique perspective into the psychological effects of living with heart disease; a perspective that he says is noticeably absent in treating the disease. He thinks the huge emphasis placed on such things as smoking cessation, cholesterol levels and prescription drugs is often at the expense of important psychosocial issues. He claims the real struggle comes with fighting anxiety, anger, lifestyle disruptions, and for many, insomnia--all of which are discussed in depth in Cardiac Champs. Dr. McConnell wisely uses humour and optimism to avoid any cathartic outpouring as he maps out his program to conquer anger, chronic worry, panic attacks and the perpetual fear of death. Even his treatment of traditional heart health issues such as diet and exercise is rather novel as he emphasizes choice and variety over authoritarian medical prescriptions. His unique perspective certainly comes through loud and clear when he discusses his approach to physicians, "They are consultants not managers"; to alcohol, "Enjoy your beer"; and to anger, "Don't get angry, don't get mad, and don't get even." Cardiac Champs is a must read for anyone interested in adopting a realistic plan to control the "emotional luggage" so often associated with the various forms of heart disease. "Cardiac Champs by Dr. Larry McConnell was a finalist last week in the Health (General) category of the USA Book News, Best Books 2010 awards" The Sault Star, 2010 "By 1986,the year after his second heart attack, McConnell had used his background as a psychologist to reinvent himself from a "cardiac survivor" to a "cardiac champ." The Observer, 2010 & Northern News, 2010 "He begins the book by addressing the heart attack survivor's loved ones, as if they've just arrived mid-crisis at the hospital. He simply and effectively walks them through what to expect in the emergency room, then in the intensive care unit" Vancouver Sun, 2010 & Ottawa Citizen, 2010 "His book gives practical advice and exercises about how to deal with anxiety. That includes a two week chart that reinforces the idea that these (i.e.anxiety symptoms)are things that aren't that dangerous." St. Catherines Standard, 2010 & Simcoe Reformer 2010 "Unlike most books on heart attack recovery, Cardiac Champs is packed with practical guidance for dealing with the psychological trauma most heart attack survivors experience." The Valley Breeze, 2010 "This focus on the mental and emotional aspects of recovery is unique. Indeed, the entire book is marked by innovation. It is even evident in the chapters concerned with traditional heart health issues such as diet and exercise." usabooknews.com 2010 "(a) book full of great advice for cardiac survivors.......given the rate of heart disease in Canada, it's a book that should be in wide circulation" The Calgary Herald, 2010 & Windsor Star, 2010 "Dr. Larry McConnell's style is excellently suited towards motivational studies, and will teach students the material clearly without overcomplicating the subject." BookRenter.com 2010 "McConnell, who outlines 'systematic' steps to serenity in his book,".... includes The Anger Barometer, "an anger questionnaire designed to help people recognize the emotion so hurtful to themselves and others." Halifax Chronicle Herald, 2011 "An emotional take on heart disease.......retired psychologist says physical factors are vitally important, but don't overlook the mental issues." Delta Optimist, 2011 Cardiac Champs is a must read for heart attack survivors, and others with heart disease who do not want the condition of their arteries to dictate the kind of life they live. Dr. Larry McConnell is a survivor who continues to live an active, happy life 25 years after having had two heart attacks and suffering cardiac arrest at a young age. Cardiac Champs is a self-help book where the writing style is fast-paced, funny, supportive and at times, brutally frank. The anecdotes and ever present humour are real hookers that pull the cardiac survivor into trying the exercises for recovery set out in many of the chapters. Dr. McConnell is a retired psychologist who obtained his doctoral degree from McGill University. He is an avid golfer who also swims and cycles to maintain his cardio fitness levels. He lives in Calgary with his wife. They have two sons. Dr.Larry McConnell is a retired psychologist who received his doctoral degree in counselling psychology from McGill University. He worked in the health and social services fields for over twen