Dr. Agatston has authored over 100 articles and abstracts for scientific journals. His pioneering work in noninvasive cardiac imaging has resulted in computerized tomography scanning methods and measures that bear his name: the Agatston Score and the Agatston Method, which are used for screening coronary calcium, are recognized worldwide.

Dr. Agatston did not set out to develop a weight-loss plan. His goal was to help his chronically overweight heart patients get their diets under control, thereby preventing or reversing the myriad of heart and vascular problems associated with obesity. Knowing that his patients weren't faring well on the standard, low-fat American Heart Association diet, Dr. Agatston began to investigate diets and the origins of insulin resistance on his own.

The result was the South Beach Diet™, which was offered to numerous heart patients in Florida with impressive results. He presented his findings at a national meeting of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. The word spread throughout Miami, prompting the local ABC affiliate to do a monthlong series on the South Beach Diet™, which was repeated for two years.

Dr. Agatston's clinical cardiology practice is still very much devoted to prevention. He lectures extensively on prevention nationally and internationally and reviews for major medical cardiology journals. Dr. Agatston maintains an active, full-time cardiology practice, both clinical and research.

Go to agatstonresearchfoundation.org to learn more about Dr. Agatston's ongoing research initiatives.