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99% OF PATIENTS IN ORNISH LIFESTYLE MEDICINE STUDY GROUPS STOPPED
OR REVERSED THEIR CORONARY HEART DISEASE, AS MEASURED BY CARDIAC PET
SCANS. (JAMA 1995) BY FOLLOWING THE PROGRAM AND MAKING LIFESTYLE CHANGES
77% OF PATIENTS – WHO WERE ELIGIBLE FOR BYPASS SURGERY OR ANGIOPLASTY – WERE ABLE TO SAFELY AVOID THESE PROCEDURES, WITH NO INCREASED CHANCES OF CARDIAC EVENTS. (THE MULTICENTER LIFESTYLE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT)
Whole food plant-based nutrition is building momentum across the country, in 2018 it was ranked the #1 food trend. Nearly a third of Americans are practicing meat-free days, such as the popular #MeatlessMonday, and Google searches for the word vegan increased by 90% in 2017.
While this may be a new trend for many, Ornish Lifestyle MedicineTM– which is whole food, plant-based approach – is based off over 35 years of research, treating food as medicine. Ornish Lifestyle Medicine is a transformational program that empowers patients to take control of their heart health through lifestyle changes. The program addresses the root causes of disease by using lifestyle modifications as a less invasive and more effective treatment option than drugs or surgery. The nutrition element is one of four pillars to the program including, exercise, stress management, and group support.
Scientific evidence now demonstrates that a plant-based, whole food nutrition prescription can not only help to reverse and prevent disease, but also assist with weight management, improve mood, decrease general inflammation, improve productivity, and prolong longevity.
“It is gratifying to see the transformational power of food as medicine as participants switch to a whole food, plant-based approach to eating” notes Carra Richling, Senior Dietitian for Ornish Lifestyle Medicine. “This is reinforced by the ongoing emotional testimonials we receive from participants sharing their stories of how this lifestyle program has changed their lives in ways they had not even imagined, allowing them to live their lives to the fullest and feeling the healthiest they have ever felt.”
Cardiology Care Clinic has been offering Ornish Lifestyle Medicine – the first scientifically proven Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) program reversing the progression of heart disease – to local residents, since September 11, 2018.
Over the course of 18 sessions, the program brings about its transformational impact by helping participants optimize four key areas of their lives: exercise, stress management, group support, and nutrition. Participants experience the program within a consistent group of peers who share health histories and objectives, and are led through the program by a dedicated team that includes a medical director, a program director, a nurse case manager, and experts in stress management, behavioral health, fitness and nutrition. These experts help participants to take control of their treatment by providing them with the knowledge, training and community resources to sustain a healthier lifestyle. Participants often continue to be a part of the Ornish community—and stay in contact with their peers and clinicians—long after graduating from the official program.
Cardiology Care Clinic, the first and only location to offer Ornish Lifestyle Medicine in the state of Georgia, has helped over sixty participants in the Lake Oconee community complete the 9 week program to improve their health. Participants have reported reductions in their arthritic joint pain, weight loss, reductions in blood pressure, better sleep, and improved stress levels. Laboratory values, vitals, and anthropometric measurements are also obtained at the start and end of the program. Telemetry monitoring is also provided when monitoring higher risk participants during exercise.
“This program is an excellent addition to the cardiac service line that we offer at Cardiology Care Clinic, and we are excited to introduce it as an option for our patients,” said Dr. Chronos, medical director of Ornish Lifestyle Medicine at Cardiology Care Clinic. “Ornish Lifestyle Medicine gives us another proven approach to treat heart disease and supports our ongoing mission to provide the best possible care and treatment to our community, this will empower and enhance the quality of life of many patients.”
The program, Dr. Ornish’s research and Dr. Ornish himself have been featured widely in national media, including stories in Newsweek, TIME, U.S. News & World Report and The New York Times. “My colleagues and I are helping to create a new paradigm of health care – one based on addressing the underlying causes of heart disease and many other chronic diseases,” said Dr. Ornish. “My vision has always been to sustainably transform lives for the better by making simple lifestyle choices. With each new site to offer our program, we continue to make that vision a reality.”
The program, Dr. Ornish’s research and Dr. Ornish himself have been featured widely in national media, including stories in Newsweek, TIME, U.S. News & World Report and The New York Times. “My colleagues and I are helping to create a new paradigm of health care – one based on addressing the underlying causes of heart disease and many other chronic diseases,” said Dr. Ornish. “My vision has always been to sustainably transform lives for the better by making simple lifestyle choices. With each new site to offer our program, we continue to make that vision a reality.”
Cardiology Care Clinic is offering Ornish Lifestyle Medicine through Sharecare, an Atlanta based digital health leader. Sharecare and Dr.Ornish have partnered to take this innovative, evidence-based approach across the United States in response to growing demand from consumers and providers for approaches that address the underlying causes of disease through lifestyle changes.
Ornish Lifestyle Medicine is reimbursed by Medicare and other commercial payers for qualified individuals. Cardiology Care Clinic delivery team will help determine eligibility and insurance coverage, and obtain the required physician order.
This program is provided to the community at Cardiology Care Clinic located at 117 Harmony Crossing #1, Eatonton, GA 31024. The next program is scheduled to begin in November of 2019. For more information, please call the Ornish Lifestyle Medicine Program Director, Cristina Brehob, PA-C, at Cardiology Care Clinic by calling (706)-749-1898.
