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

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. (Oct.)