The Cardiovascular Cure offers a groundbreaking approach to preventing heart attack and stroke by enhancing your body’s own natural defenses. Dr. John Cooke, head of Stanford Medical School’s vascular unit, has devised a powerful new method for fighting cardiovascular disease without bypass surgery or angioplasty. Drawing on his own investigations, as well as Nobel Prize-winning research from a team of American scientists, Dr. Cooke provides heart patients with a diet, supplement, and exercise program that will help them feel better in as little as two weeks. His program also works to prevent heart disease in those at risk.

In 1998, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for the discovery of EDRF (endothelium-derived relaxing factor), a chemical produced in the lining of the blood vessels, which keeps them free of plaque. Dr. Cooke and other investigators have found that specific nutrients can enhance EDRF production and improve blood flow in people with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other risk factors for heart disease.

This potentially life-saving book shows how anyone can achieve healthier blood vessels (the key to preventing heart disease). A two-week menu plan contains recipes that emphasize EDRF-enhancing foods, and there is detailed information on supplemental nutrients and vitamins that are useful in strengthening the cardiovascular system. Recipes from breakfast (Banana Date-Nut Bread; Blueberry Oat Pancakes; Pineapple Ginger or Tropical Smoothies; Pumpkin Muffins) to dinner (Moroccan Red Snapper; Chicken Wrap with Refried Beans; Soy-Glazed Salmon; Turkey Meatloaf) feature healthy fats found in fish, nuts, and olive oil. There is also welcome news that red wine and chocolate can be good for you (there are recipes for Double Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Raspberry Surprise).

The exercise program consists of the same therapeutic plans Dr. Cooke has prescribed for even his most severely ill patients, many of whom begin to walk and even exercise more vigorously without pain after two weeks. In addition, there are aerobic workouts designed for more active patients. Dr. Cooke also provides state-of-the-art information (pro and con) on conventional drugs–from aspirin to beta blockers–and medical tests and procedures to further combat cardiovascular disease.

With an introduction by Sir John Vane, a Nobel Prize-winning cardiovascular scientist, this book will provide anyone concerned about his or her cardiovascular health with new hope for a pain-free, disease-free life.

“This book should be read by all patients with heart disease as well as anyone at increased risk for a heart attack or stroke. The comprehensive risk reduction program recommended by Dr. Cooke uses the most advanced research to help everyone improve the health of their blood vessels.”

-William L. Haskell, Ph.D., Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention

“In The Cardiovascular Cure, Dr. Cooke has translated the research of our field into life-saving information that we can all use. If you really care about your cardiovascular health, you must read this book!”
-Louis J. Ignarro, Ph.D., 1998 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of Nitric Oxide

“This authoritative book appropriately points out why everyone should worry about the health of their endothelium and, better still, do something to protect it if it shows signs of damage. Early identification and treatment of reduced nitric oxide release should be the preventive agenda for the new millenium.”

-Jay N. Cohn, M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School

“Helping yourself prevent a heart attack means knowing more than your ‘cholesterol count.’ In this clearly written book, Dr. Cooke introduces you to the important role played by the endothelium (the lining of your blood vessels) in this process, and what you can do to keep this vital organ as healthy as possible.”

-Gerald Reaven, Professor of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine

JOHN P. COOKE, M.D., Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Section of Vascular Medicine at Stanford University’s Medical School. He trained at the Mayo Clinic, earning a Ph.D. in physiology there, and he was on the faculty of Harvard Medical School before he was recruited to Stanford to spearhead the program in Vascular Biology and Medicine. He is a sought-after consultant and has served on numerous national and international committees dealing with cardiovascular diseases, including those of the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. JUDITH ZIMMER has been a medical journalist for more than fifteen years. She has contributed to such publications as the New York Times, and Self and Fitness magazines, and she currently writes for academic medical centers in New York City.