Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, killing more people than all forms of cancer combined, and the American Heart Association reports nearly half of Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, it’s possible to prevent heart disease or halt its progression by making simple diet and lifestyle changes—and Forks Over Knives has published hundreds of real-life success stories by people who have done just that. In celebration of American Heart Month, we’re highlighting some of our favorite heart-health success stories that we’ve published over the years. If you’re struggling with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, we hope that you’ll take heart in these inspiring accounts.
Have you experienced improvements to your health after adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet? Share your own success story here!
At just 30 years old, Yvonne McGill had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetic retinopathy, and a variety of other health issues. When she discovered a WFPB diet, she was immediately willing to give it a try. “I ate whole grains, beans, and all the vegetables I could find,” writes McGill. “Within three months, I lost 20 pounds. My cholesterol stabilized, so my doctor took me off of the statin medication.”
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When his sons were just toddlers, Rajiv Misquitta, MD, suffered a heart attack. A month later, he was again rushed to the ER with chest pains, and he had to undergo quintuple bypass surgery. “The best drugs and surgical procedures seem to, at best, delay the progression of heart disease,” writes Misquitta. Not content with this prognosis, he dug into research on the connections between diet and disease, reading The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, PhD. The science convinced him to adopt a WFPB diet. “I lost 25 pounds following this lifestyle change, and my LDL cholesterol went from 130 to 58,” writes Misquitta.
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