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Optimal healing environments for chronic cardiovascular disease

Debra A Marshall1, Elaine Walizer, Marina N Vernalis

  • 1Coronary Artery Disease Reversal Program, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307, USA. Debra.Marshall@na.amedd.army.mil

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.)
|January 6, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Chronic cardiovascular disease is rising due to aging, obesity, and diabetes. An optimal healing environment (OHE) model is proposed to improve integrative cardiac care by addressing mind-body-spirit connections.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Integrative Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is projected to increase significantly due to demographic shifts and rising obesity and diabetes rates.
  • Current technological advances improve acute CVD event survival but translation of research for chronic illness prevention and treatment remains suboptimal.
  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) pathogenesis and demographics necessitate novel approaches to patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review obstacles and approaches to optimal care for chronic cardiovascular disease.
  • To introduce and explore the concept of an optimal healing environment (OHE) as a model for integrative cardiac health care.
  • To examine underexplored aspects of cardiac care, including provider/patient characteristics, mind/body/spirit wholeness, and psychosocial factors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of demographics and pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
  • Conceptual exploration of the optimal healing environment (OHE) model.
  • Discussion of psychosocial factors and their impact on cardiovascular health.

Main Results:

  • The paper defines and explores the optimal healing environment (OHE) as a novel model for integrative cardiac care.
  • It highlights the importance of intrapersonal/interpersonal dynamics, mind/body/spirit integration, and psychosocial factors in cardiovascular health.
  • The concept of healing versus curing is discussed in the context of chronic cardiovascular illness.

Conclusions:

  • An optimal healing environment (OHE) may offer new strategies for healing the heart and improving chronic cardiovascular disease management.
  • Integrating mind, body, and spirit is crucial for a holistic approach to cardiovascular health.
  • Further research into the impact of OHE could renew medicine's healing mission and emphasize the heart-mind-body connection.

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