cover image How to Prevent Your Stroke

How to Prevent Your Stroke

J. David Spence, . . Vanderbilt Univ., $19.95 (218pp) ISBN 978-0-8265-1537-7

Although the number of strokes that occur annually continues to increase, up to 75 percent of them could be prevented if symptoms were accurately diagnosed and current treatment options applied, says Spence, director of the Stroke Prevention and Atherosclerosis Research Centre at the Robarts Research Institute. And in his book, he aims to provide all the information that at-risk patients need to understand the underlying causes of strokes, risk factors and remedies, from diet and exercise to drugs and surgery. He discusses well-known risks (smoking, alcohol, a diet high in saturated fat, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels) and those that have more recently come to light (genetics, vitamin deficiencies, infections, stress). While Spence's style tends to be dry and technical, readers will likely glean insights not provided by their own doctors (the adverse effects of decongestants and appetite suppressants on blood pressure; the importance of arterial management after symptoms are under control). Recipes for a variety of delicious dishes based on the typical Mediterranean and Asian diet (barley stuffed peppers, pad thai noodles, Singapore chow mein fun and vegetarian paella, etc.) are among the most attractive elements of Spence's effort and could persuade confirmed carnivores to choose vegetarian meals more often. (Oct.)