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Program Details

Address:
Phone:
URL:

Activities Offered
  • Fitness
Transportation
  • Accessible by Public Transportation: No

  • Transportation Provided by the Program: No

Notes

The Ornish Program is a result of two decades of clinical research by Dr. Dean Ornish. This unique and innovative program treats coronary artery disease (CAD), providing a lifestyle change alternative to conventional treatments with medication or invasive procedures such as arterial bypasses or angioplasty.

How does it work?
The Ornish Program works by addressing the lifestyle factors, or behaviors, that are causes of coronary artery disease. The objectives of the program are:

  • Reduction in chest pain (angina);
  • Reduction in blockages in coronary arteries;
  • Improvement of blood flow through the heart muscle;
  • Reduction of serum cholesterol levels; and
  • Improvement in exercise capacity, sense of well being, and satisfaction with life.
  • Participants are taught to treat key risk factors of heart disease through diet, exercise, stress control, and group/ emotional support.

Who is eligible to participate?
The Ornish Program is designed to help three primary groups:
  • Men or women who are recommended for bypass surgery or angioplasty but are seeking a non-surgical option that may reduce the need for these procedures;
  • People who have previously had bypass surgery or angioplasty/ stent procedures and want to minimize the chances of repeating the process; and
  • People with significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high serum cholesterol levels and family history of CAD.
  • Significant others/ Spouses are encouraged to attend the program with the participant.

The Ornish team at Alegent Health works with a person's primary care physician and/or their cardiologist to appropriately identify candidates for the program. Candidates are carefully screened to ensure that the program is right for them. They continue to be treated by their physician, who receives regular reports on the person's progress.