Back to Life After a Heart Crisis: A Doctor and His Wife Share Their 8-Step Cardiac Comeback Plan

A Wall Street Journal Top Pick of 2010

A top surgeon teams up with his wife, a veteran network news anchor, to offer a comprehensive plan for overcoming a heart trauma.

A well-known and internationally recognized surgical oncologist, Dr. Marc Wallack kept fit by training as a marathoner. He was the rock of his family, at the top of his career, and an expert on health who practiced what he preached-until he suffered angina symptoms while on a run. Two days later, after discovering his arteries were 95 percent blocked, he underwent quadruple bypass surgery and found himself unprepared for the emotional fallout of his recovery.

In Back to Life After a Heart Crisis, Dr. Wallack and his wife, journalist Jamie Colby, offer their moving personal story along with a one-of-a-kind, prescriptive guide to reclaiming your life after confronting the issues of mortality and vulnerability raised by a traumatic heart event-whether it be a heart attack or a surgical procedure. Brimming with inspiration and encouragement, this unique book shows readers how to regain emotional strength in tandem with healing physically by working through eight important milestones-from sleeping through the night to surviving doctor's appointments to taking on a huge physical challenge.

With sidebars and tips for caregivers, Back to Life After a Heart Crisis helps patients and their loved ones heal hearts and minds and feel vibrant and full of life again.