A Heart Healthy Way of Live 
Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 1:00 p.m.
(Posted 1/23/06)


At 32 years old, successful businessman Joe Piscatella underwent heart bypass surgery.  One doctor predicted he wouldn't survive to see his children graduate from high school.  

He refused to accept that his heart disease was a death sentence.  He changed his own lifestyle and for the past three decades has been urging others to do the same.  Today, he is a nationally known motivational speaker on heart health and nutrition.  He has written a national best-seller, "Don't Eat Your Heart Out," and his books have sold more than 5 million copies. 

Piscatella will be the guest lecturer on Sunday, February 12 at the Genesis Heart Institute as part of the Genesis Health Lecture Series.  The lecture will be held in conjunction with National Heart Month. 

Piscatella's presentation, "The Road to Heart Health Runs Through the Kitchen," will be at 1 p.m. at the Adler Education Center in the lower level of the Genesis Heart Institute, 1236 E. Rusholme St., Davenport,  There will be a book-signing prior to the presentation from 12-12:45 p.m.  The presentation is free, but reservations for seating are being taken at 563-421-6276. 

A public forum will follow Piscatella's lecture to continue the discussion of prevention, treatment and management of heart disease. 

Piscatella did survive to see his children graduate from high school.  He also walked his daughter down the aisle, attended his son's wedding and now is a grandfather.  Today he helps organizations support healthy, balanced lifestyles for their employees as president of the Institute for Fitness and health, Gig Harbor, Wash.  He is the only non-medical members of the National Institutes of Health Cardiac Rehabilitation Expert Panel, where he assists with the development of clinical practice guidelines for health professionals. 

Delving into the topic of chronic stress and its toll on heart health, Piscatella offers strategies for better lifestyle decisions.  he is the host of three PBS television specials, including "Take A Load Off Your Heart," which is presently airing nationally.   He is in pre-production for a program on the health and weight of American children.