“Dr. Taher‘s remarkable journey from doctor to bypass patient to conquering Mount Kilimanjaro is an inspiration, and in this remarkable book he shares everything you need to conquer your own challenges.” —Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC, Adjunct Professor of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, and New York Times best-selling author. Angioplasty at fifty-six, open-heart surgery at sixty-one, running his first half marathon less than a year later. This is the remarkable and inspiring story of Dr. Akil Taher, who transformed from a middle-aged couch potato with a dangerously bad diet into a vital, energetic athlete, ever seeking new challenges and adventures. In this book, Dr. Taher relates the journey of his transformation—how even as a physician who knew better, he led an unhealthy lifestyle; how he ignored the warnings of his heart disease and other chronic ailments; and how after his bypass surgery, he set out to radically change his life to heal his body and his spirit. Training for and competing in his first half marathon was only the start. In compelling detail, he recounts his running in the Chicago, Boston, and Mumbai Marathons; his pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro; his first triathlon and 100-mile bike race. More importantly, Dr. Taher also discusses the enormous role diet plays in preventing as well as recovering from heart disease as well as other chronic illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease. Citing reputable sources and using his own diet and health as examples, he guides the reader away from a diet heavy in meat, dairy, eggs, and sugar and proposes healthier eating—and living—that is grounded in a whole-food, plant-based diet. OPEN HEART is an essential read for anyone eager to change unhealthy lifestyle choices and embrace the excitement of a vibrant new life. "Dr. Taher's remarkable journey from doctor to bypass patient to conquering Mount Kilimanjaro is an inspiration, and in this remarkable book he shares everything you need to conquer your own challenges." --Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC, Adjunct Professor of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, and New York Times best-selling author "This is an insightful recount of a journey on a road to recovery that needs to be traveled for many more of us. Pay particular attention to the chapter titled ' Diet is More Important Than Exercise.' We really can't exercise our way out of a bad diet. The two should complement each other, and always seek the latest evidence in this evolving area, as one by one, all diets--other than the whole-food, plant-based diet--end up with risks that are avoidable." --Kim Allan Williams Sr., MD, MACC, FAHA, MASNC, FESC, James B. Herrick Professor of Heart Research, Chief, Division of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center "Imagine a very senior, dedicated family doctor, late in his career, unexpectedly suffering a serious heart disease that requires heart surgery. Now imagine how he faces it, as a longtime medical professional, in a manner that is self-reflective, courageous, and inspirational. In doing so, he reverses his illness by traveling a pathway paved by Nature herself. Finally, imagine having a family doctor like Akil Taher. His book, Open Heart , is an inspirational quick read with a message that will be remembered." --T. Colin Campbell, PhD, Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry, Cornell University, and coauthor of the best-selling book The China Study "A personal account of a physician writing with brutal honesty and a genuine urge to help multitudes of needy people. It leads by demonstrating how a person, especially a physician, can lift himself from the nadir of negativism to a zenith of zeal, to blissfully enjoy a self-created renewed life. The author will hold your hand compassionately while you trace that journey." --Bhagirath Majmudar, MD, Emeritus Professor of Pathology and Gynecology-Obstetrics, Emory University "Heart disease is the leading killer in the United States and India, and truly avoidable. When humans play God, there is always a risk. Dr. Taher went through it all and found out that there is a better way to live where we can all thrive. Lifestyle changes that not only brought him joy, but saved his life." --Dr. Nandita Shah, recipient of the prestigious Nari Shakti Award 2016, India's highest civilian honor for women, and author of the book Reversing Diabetes in 21 Days "Dr. Taher has written a thoughtful, readable, information-rich account of his amazing journey from heart disease patient to marathon runner and mountain climber. If you are contemplating lifestyle changes that include adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet, challenging physical activity, and emotional wellbeing, start by reading this book." --Jennifer Rooke, MD, MPH, FACOEM, FACPM, Assistant Professor of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine "Imagine a very s