June 1, 2017
The obese are at higher risk of heart attacks, but does their risk return to normal when they lose weight? Maybe. Maybe not. No one has studied it. Cohn, director of cardiovascular-disease prevention at the University of Minnesota, challenges people to think about the science behind popular health assumptions. Just because pet owners may be at slightly lower risk of heart attacks doesn't mean that buying a pet will reduce anyone's chances. Perhaps it's the personality of the animal owner or the walks or the comfort of a furry friend. Modern medicine also relies too heavily on numbers; blood pressure readings over 140/90 count as hypertension, while one of 136/86 is barely different yet isn't treated. Cohn expertly presents common beliefs about blood clots, obesity, inflammation, and diabetes, then presents the facts. For example, he says too many carbohydrates, not excess fat consumption, cause weight gain. So go ahead and eat nutrient-filled nuts and eggs. This eye-opening book is a powerful call to think twice before automatically following conventional wisdom on what's best for your own heart and health.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)