Open Heart

The Transformational Journey of a Doctor Who, After Bypass Surgery at 61, Ran Marathons and Climbed Mountains

By: Akil Taher MD

Narrated by: Akil Taher

Angioplasty at 56, open-heart surgery at 61, and 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 audiobook, 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, and 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 listener 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 listen for anyone eager to change unhealthy lifestyle choices and embrace the excitement of a vibrant new life.

©2021 Akil Taher (P)2022 Akil Taher

Critic reviews

"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)

Excellent, Helpful and Inspirational!

This is a must have for anyone with health issues, especially cardiovascular. Dr. Taher shows you how he went from the operating room to marathons, climb mountains and other feats by complimenting his knowledge of medicine and whole foods plant based living. His results speak for themselves and he also spends a lot of time giving back and helping others learn things to achieve results in their lives. If you or a loved one are not sure what to do with heart issues it would be wise to hear his story. It is also very inspirational!

Enlightening

This is a splendid account of a cardiologist's transformation after his open-heart surgery. It is a message of health and healing from a medical doctor who, late in life, attains the wisdom of spiritual and medical healing. A journey from the bloody operating table to becoming a marathon runner, mountain climber, and the kindest husband, father, and grandfather. I went through quintuple open heart surgery at the age of 61 and discovered the six pillars of reversing heart ailment from Dr. Taher's book. Thank you, kind doctor.

Wonderful book

Excellent read. Authentic and well researched. Thank you for sharing your experience with everyone. Will gift your book , to family & friends. Blessings

Outstanding book

This book can be life-changing, not only or those with adverse heart conditions, but for everyone. It is beautifully written and read. I highly recommend this book -and the medical knowledge and depth of caring for people’s health from the Dr. who wrote this.

self-indulgent and boring

this guy just goes on and on and on and on about himself and how wonderful he is and all the things that he did over and over and over again I got halfway through it and I had to stop I want my money back this is awful