MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE: BENIGN SYNDROME?
Now available, the second edition, revised and updated, of the most COMPREHENSIVE book on MVP ever published. The National Women's Health Network called it "A groundbreaking work on women's health."
Sharon Anderson's book, initially published in July, 1990, was the FIRST book on MVP ever to appear for the public, a work that took 15 years to research and write.
When your dentist asks you if you have MVP
and gives you antibiotics to protect you from an
infection of your heart valves,
IT'S BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK
When your doctor cautions you about birth control pills
if you have MVP,
IT'S BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK
When a "mysterious" infection, about which you know nothing and are told nothing,
is finally diagnosed and your life saved, IT'S BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK.
Sharon Anderson challenged the medical establishment's 100 year-old opinion of MVP as an anxiety disorder. Sharon and her friend, Margo, whose story you will read in Mitral Valve Prolapse: Benign Syndrome?, faced a life-threatening illness, an infection of their heart valves, Infective Endocarditis. Sharon's was caused from an abscessed tooth and Margo's from a simple cleaning of her teeth. Sharon survived. Margo died. Medical negligence transformed Sharon's "innocent murmur" of MVP into chronic congestive heart failure and kidney disease. Her attempts to get answers for her sudden illness resulted in doctors' rebuffs, anger and denial of care. Since no information existed for the public, she educated herself by reading well over 500 articles on MVP and medical textbooks. She went to New York City and established the first support group for MVP in North America that inspired the formation of other support groups. Sharon Anderson's efforts on behalf of MVP changed the medical establishment's approach to MVP forever. For the first time, she brought to public attention
AGAINST FORMIDABLE ODDS, SHARON ANDERSON self-published Mitral Valve Prolapse: Benign Syndrome?, investing $23,000 of her own money, when the corporate publishing industry saw little profit in a book on MVP, became her own publicity agent and sold out her first edition of 5,000 copies. After an enormous struggle to get the help of the media to spread word about MVP, she finally gained some important allies:
NBCTV "THE CRUSADERS" - August, 1994
BUFFALO NEWS, Lifestyles Feature Story, May, 1993 - Carl Herko
CNN- Healthwise, May, 1992
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, January, 1992 - Leonore Fleischer
THE ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE WRITERS, Fall, 1991- Ruth Winter
NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH NETWORK, March/April, 1991
-Cynthia Pearson
NEW YORK TIMES, MARCH, 1991 - JANE BRODY
In her crusade to make MVP a household word, Ms. Anderson has become an internationally recognized authority on MVP, as the words of Dr. John Barlow, whose name was once given to the syndrome, testify. She has given talks throughout North America and was invited by THE CHINESE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION to speak at THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WOMEN'S HEALTH IN BEIJING, CHINA in April, 1993 and The National Foundation for Non-Invasive Diagnostics of Princeton in 1992 and 1993. She continues to give talks in North America.
Physicians and researchers at medical centers throughout the world have bought MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE: BENIGN SYNDROME? For example, Bethesda Memorial Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, St. Louis Heart Group, Inc., George Washington Medical Center, the University of Toronto Medical School, McMaster Medical Center, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, South Africa.
"A magnificent piece of work. It humbles my peers' efforts in its encyclopedic coverage of the subject."
Dr. Walt Weaver, M.D., Cardiologist, Lincoln, Nebraska
"Sharon Anderson is an exceptional and truly extraordinary cardiac patient. She has a brilliantly
logical and inquisitive mind ... a fascinating, compelling and informative book which is difficult to
put down."
Dr. Ben Kingsley, former Adjunct Professor of Medicine (Cardiolgy) and Assistant
Professor of Diagnostic Radiology, Medical University. Program Director National
Foundation for Non-Invasive Diagnostics, Princeton.
"This is indeed a revealing expose depicted in detail with passion and deep personal concern ....
the publication of this book will have a profound bearing on the prevention of the complications
associated with heart disease."
Dr. Barry S. Krasner, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of
Anesthesiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center,
N.Y. Director, Ambulatory Infusion and Pain Clinic, Valatie, N. Y.
"A compelling tale of medical ignorance and dishonesty. As a medical 'insider', I can assure you
that stories such as hers are repeated all too often in our finest medical institutions. Consumer beware!"
Dr. Eric Letowski, Assistant Director of Emergency Services Mount Sinai Hospital,
Toronto, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Family and Community Medicine,
University of Toronto.
"I find your book remarkable in that you have probably read more on this subject than anybody
else- including myself and all other cardiologists - who have been intimately involved in the field
for decades.
Dr. John B. Barlow Professor of Cardiology, University of the Witwatersrand and
Johannesburg Hospital, South Africa. MVP WAS ONCE CALLED BARLOW'S
SYNDOME BECAUSE DR. BARLOW WAS THE FIRST TO WARN OF THE
RISKS.
"This is the story of one women's harrowing attempts to understand and survive mitral valve
prolapse ... Ms. Anderson busts the myth that MVP is "benign" and provides a devastating expose
of medical sexism: the routine contempt with which female patients are treated ... I can onlv hope
that this brave and disturbing book helps empower the millions of people with MVP to demand and
get the care that, as Ms. Anderson shows us, they very much need."
Barbara Ehrenreich, author of The Sexual Politics of Illness, For Her Own Good,
Hearts of Men, Remaking Love.
"I expected this book to be worthwhile, weighty, important, even lifesparing. It's all of the above
but, in addition, I could hardly put it down. Ms. Anderson is as fine a dramatist as she is a medical detective."
Barbara Seaman, author of Free and Female, The Doctor's Case Against the Pill,
Women and the Hormone Crisis.
"The situation which led Sharon Anderson to write Mitral Valve Prolapse: Benign Syndrome? is
the stuff of dreams for a feminist campaigner. The wonder is that she has not become one. Rather
she is a campaigner for human rights."
Marg Petrushevsky, The Daily Mercury, Guelph, Ontario.
"Mitral Valve Prolapse is not always so innocent... it can result in very serious health effects and
even death... no one knows this better than Sharon Anderson."
Jane Brody, The New York Times.
"Sharon Anderson is a woman with a cause ... to make MVP a household word ... Mitral Valve
Prolapse: Benign Syndrome? ... tells the dramatic story of her own illness and her gradual
enlightenment until she became an expert."
Leonore Fleischer, Publishers Weekly.
"Patients are assured MVP is benign ... that's not how it worked for Sharon Anderson. A heart
valve infection turned Ms. Anderson into a crusader."
Carl Herko, Buffalo News.
"It is a terrible disease and a hidden one that comes out of nowhere. I hope you keep on pushing doctors ... because a lot of them think it's all in the person's mind ... It's about time someone really cares." ... Myrna K., NY
"I have just finished reading your book ... practically in one sitting... for the first time in my 68 years of life I feel vindicated."... Mrs. Mary Lee H., NC
"I applaud your efforts to inform the public about this condition, but deeply regret the obvious hell you've been through to get to this point." ... Stephen S., NH
"Thanks from all of us out here suffering and in the dark." ... Sue C., NY
"Reading your book is like looking into a mirror, one finally free from fog. ". ... Rosanne P., NY
"Am reading your excellent book. Thank you for everything you did to make this book available."... Robin K., GA
"It is about time more information is available to patients. Doctors cause "cardiac cripples" by keeping full facts from sufferers thinking partial facts cause less worry... keep up the good work."... Mary Joe C., CT
"I keep your book on my shelf as "THE" reference on MVP." ... Laura K., CA
"Your story brought tears to my eyes. You've been through so much and have really done something good from your experience ... You have helped me so much and how I appreciate your time!"... Terri M., Texas
"Everyone up here in Buffalo says it's all in my head... you have been a big help to me even though I am an RN." Sharon S., NY
What did Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis die of? What is the real cause of death of other sports stars who have vaguely defined congenital heart problems?
MAKE CHEQUE PAYABLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $20 (U.S. FUNDS) TO:
SHARON ANDERSON 
c/o WELLINGTON HOUSE PRESS
24 WELLINGTON STREET WEST
BARRIE, ONTARIO L4N 1K2,
CANADA.
TO INTERVIEW SHARON ANDERSON PLEASE CONTACT HER AT:
sharonrose@sympatico.ca or (705) 737-1147
