The influence of an intense cardiovascular disease risk factor modification program.
In an effort to make intensive lifestyle modification programs more accessible to patients with cardiovascular disease, the Ornish Program was offered at eight independent medical centers located across the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine if one of these independent sites was able to replicate outcomes produced by the original Ornish Program. Fifty program participants from six different cohorts provided baseline, 3- and 12-month data consisting of blood lipids, body fat, blood pressure, anginal pain, quality of life, stress, depression, social support, and hostility. A pooled analysis showed significant reductions in almost all physiological and psychosocial variables with most reductions persisting for at least 12 months. These findings suggest that cardiovascular disease patients who choose to participate in an independent, intensive lifestyle modification program can experience significant improvements in both physiological and psychosocial cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Aldana
Steven G
SG
College of Health and Human Performance, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602-2214, USA. steve_aldana@byu.edu
Greenlaw
Roger
R
Thomas
Dean
D
Salberg
Audrey
A
DeMordaunt
Tawnya
T
Fellingham
Gill W
GW
Avins
Andrew L
AL
D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors