American Heart Association News

Article Featuring Dr. Akil Taher (March 4, 2021)

Bypass Surgery Turned Doctor from Couch Potato into Mountain Climber

Giving Back to Make a Positive Impact

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“Get a copy of my new book, “OPEN HEART” and protect yourself and your loved ones from Heart Diseases. ”

— Akil Taher, MD

“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

Open Heart - 3D Final.png — Readers’ Favorite (5-Star Review)

“This book is terrific. Author Akil Taher, MD is a fine storyteller and his book is part adventure story and part inspiration. Taher’s transformation from being a man with numerous medical problems to a fit, healthy, septuagenarian athlete makes for enjoyable and motivational reading.”

Dispelling a Common Myth

About Heart Disease

Get Your Copy of My Book, "OPEN HEART"

“Your perseverance, your commitment to honesty, as told to the reader and to yourself, and your tenacity to conquer physical feats, especially as a recent heart patient. These traits are more than commendable, they say something very significant about the automatic aura surrounding too many of us who think we have the world by the tail simply because we have a degree, either M.D. or PhD.”

— T. Colin Campbell, PhD, Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry, Cornell University, and coauthor of the best-selling book "The China Study."

Proponent of Veganism

Had I known what I know today, I would %22not%22 have undergone the stents or the bypass surgery. I would have cured it by following a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet. A coronary angioplasty (including stenting) or a-3.png

“You have improved your lifestyle, now improve the quality of your life …”

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What Can You Do to

Prevent Heart Disease Risk?

Four Heart-Healthy Insights

Author and Heart-Healthy Speaker

Know how I overcame bypass surgery to run marathons and climb mountains in my new book, OPEN HEART or invite me for an interactive virtual speaking session to help you lead a heart-healthy lifestyle. All the royalties of my book will go to charity. Read More →

Mountaineer

I experienced extreme weather conditions, oxygen-less breathing, and steep ascents and descents to climb the Uhuru peak at a height of 19,341 feet, considered the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro. I also invite you to experience my journey to Mount Kailash in Tibet. Read More →

Marathoner

I have joined the ranks of the 0.5 percent of the U.S. population who have run a full marathon (26.2 miles). I have run the Boston Marathon and the Chicago Marathon. I have also run Asia’s largest marathon in terms of participation and magnitude (Mumbai Marathon, India). Read More →

Century Rider

After completing nine hundred miles in four months of training, I finished a cycling century - a badge of honor among cyclists. The 100-mile bike race was held at the historic Fort Conde in downtown Mobile, Alabama. For cyclists, wind is the main enemy. Read More → about the anguishing story of my 100-Mile Ride.

Septuagenarian Athlete

“I expanded the canvas of my age-defying adventures to pursue bungee jumping, skydiving, hang gliding, snorkeling, scuba diving, and white water rafting. ”