Beyond Cholesterol: The Johns Hopkins Complete Guide for Avoiding Heart Disease

Case studies and the latest research provide you with vital new information on--detecting heart disease--from the EKG to coronary angiography, finding out if you've inherited your parent's heart disease, assessing your risk of heart attack--and reducing it, taking a scientific approach to exercise, drug therapy--why you need to know all the facts, how to make sure your cholesterol count is accurate, a medically proven action plan diet that works, high cholesterol in children--are yours at risk?, why a 'normal' cholesterol count isn't always good news, and what 'good' cholesterol is --and how you can get more of it.

If a "continuing education" teacher planned a class on recent findings in heart disease risk factors, this would serve well as the textbook, complete with chapter summaries, easily understood charts and tables, and a glossary. Professor of medicine and pediatrics and chief of the Lipid Research and Atherosclerosis Unit at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Kwiterovich surveys and describes a broad range of relevant scientific research in succinct detail, interpreting it in practical terms. As well as discussing "good" and "bad" cholesterol, the author explains how heredity, diet, exercise and drugs affect the risk of heart disease. He includes a two-week suggested menu, chapters on fish oil and fiber (such as oat bran), a comprehensive chart analyzing the fat content of foods and 90 simple recipes. The book's dry, clinical presentation can be exhausting, as well as exhaustive--it tells more than most will want or need to know. Though a dull read, the book is a useful resource.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The author, director of the Lipid Research Clinic at Johns Hopkins, presents a very complete explanation of "good " cholesterol and "bad" cholesterol; how dietary fat is metabolized; the genetic factor in high cholesterol levels; and the relationship of cholesterol to coronary disease. He regards this relationship as established beyond doubt; other authorities are less certain. He also discusses other risk factors in heart disease--smoking, weight, family history, and lack of exercise. Almost half of the book consists of tables of food values and also diet and meal plans; veteran dieters will view these with an I've-been-here-before attitude. Undoubtedly, this a very good book on cholesterol, but perhaps this risk factor is overemphasized for the lay reader at the expense of other risks.
- Eleanor Maass, Maass Assocs., New Milford, Pa.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.