Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
06:04

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

The effects of an intensive lifestyle modification program on carotid artery intima-media thickness: a randomized

Steven G Aldana1, Roger Greenlaw, Audrey Salberg

  • 1College of Health and Human Performance, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA. steve_aldana@byu.edu

American Journal of Health Promotion : AJHP
|August 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The Dr. Dean Ornish Program improved cardiovascular risk factors like diet and weight but did not significantly reduce carotid artery thickness compared to traditional cardiac rehabilitation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Medical Interventions

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) management often involves lifestyle changes and rehabilitation.
  • Assessing the impact of lifestyle interventions on atherosclerosis progression is crucial for cardiovascular health.
  • Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a validated marker for subclinical atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of the Dr. Dean Ornish Program in reversing heart disease.
  • To compare the effects of the Ornish Program on CIMT against traditional cardiac rehabilitation.
  • To assess changes in cardiovascular risk factors associated with the Ornish Program.

Main Methods:

  • Randomized clinical trial involving 93 patients with confirmed CAD.
  • Patients were assigned to either the Ornish Program (n=46) or traditional cardiac rehabilitation (n=47).
  • Carotid artery ultrasound for CIMT and other cardiovascular risk factors were measured at baseline, 6, and 12 months.

Main Results:

  • No significant reduction in carotid intima-media thickness was observed in either the Ornish or cardiac rehabilitation groups.
  • Ornish Program participants showed significant improvements in dietary habits, weight, and body mass index (P < .001).
  • A greater decrease in angina symptoms was reported in the Ornish group (44%) compared to the cardiac rehabilitation group (12%).

Conclusions:

  • The Ornish Program positively impacts cardiovascular risk factors, including diet and weight.
  • The Ornish Program did not demonstrate a significant effect on the atherosclerotic process in the carotid artery.
  • Lifestyle interventions may improve risk factors without altering CIMT in the short term.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology09:33

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology

Published on: February 7, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:27

Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...