Heart Disease: Prevention

Over 70 million Americans have some form of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S., with 11-30% percent of them having no known risk factors or exhibiting any symptoms. Although everyone is familiar with the term “heart attack,” heart disease comprises a wide array of ailments and conditions, including clogged arteries, angina (or chest pain), congestive heart failure (a weakening of the heart muscle), and electrical heart disease (resulting in extra or skipped beats). In the first volume of this two-disc set, the primary risk factors—and their effects—are covered in detail, such as smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight or sedentary, and a family history of heart disease. The second volume focuses on prevention, emphasizing both the widespread availability of current health information and the responsibility of taking good care of oneself. In addition, the program features sound advice in the areas of diet (including information on food choices and portion sizes) and exercise, with suggestions for instilling healthy habits early in life to help fight the child obesity epidemic (one doctor here equates the negative health effects of a Happy Meal as being equal to giving a youngster three cigarettes). Also newly available is Heart Disease: Detection, priced at $49.95. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Block)