‘Lifestyle medicine’ program aims to reverse heart disease

George I Jr. was sluggish, had no energy and considered himself a couch potato. Doctor visits confirmed he had high blood pressure, was obese, and had high cholesterol and triglycerides, increasing his risk for heart disease. He also knew he had a family history of heart disease.

The 59-year-old Honolulu resident weighed more than 300 pounds and had struggled with health problems for a long time. After seeing many of his family members die at an average age of 62, he realized it was time to do something.

“I didn’t want to fall into that same category with my kupuna and family members,” he said. “I knew that I needed to shift gears.”

With a referral from his doctor, he enrolled in the nine-week Dr. Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease offered by ‘Ekahi Health Center at Waterfront Plaza. The program, developed by noted California cardiologist Dr. Dean Ornish, a pioneer in “lifestyle medicine,” aims to reverse heart disease by focusing on four areas: nutrition, stress management, exercise and group support.

The center opened in October and is an offshoot of Central Medical Clinic, an independent group of primary-care physicians at Kuakini Medical Center.

The Ornish program is conducted in cohorts of no more than 15 people who have either suffered a heart attack or are referred by doctors if they have at least two heart-disease risk factors, which include family history, high blood pressure and obesity.

So far 337 people have completed the program, with 125 currently enrolled.

While attending 18 four-hour classes last year, I, a senior pastor at Ka Huaka‘i Church, learned about eating a low-fat, plant-based diet that relied largely on “whole food,” food that has been processed as little as possible and is free of artificial additives. He also participated in supervised aerobic exercise and weight training, yoga and other stress-reducing techniques, and opened up about his struggles in group sessions.

“By the third week, I had more mental clarity. I wanted to eat better food, was less frustrated and more energetic,” he said. “I had a better connection to my feelings. At first I was skeptical because I tried many other programs before. But I’m a much better person now.”

As a result of the Ornish program, he lost 27 pounds, his cholesterol level dropped 67 points, his blood pressure normalized and his triglyceride count decreased. I has been able to cut back his medications from three to two and is working on weaning himself off the others as he makes further progress.

In the meantime, he joined a soccer team and started to paddleboard and paddle canoe.

In past attempts to improve his health, I said he was focused on losing weight alone and was missing the stress-management component and group support.

“The love and understanding received in the support group was something that I needed to balance me out. I learned that it’s OK to cry,” he said. “It taught me hope and not to brush things off. The stress management helped me to better understand myself, and I can understand people better.”

Dr. Kevin Lum, medical director of the ‘Ekahi Health Center, said that the group support offered through the program “is the glue that keeps it all together.”

“White collar, blue collar and people from all walks of life come together to get healthy,” he said.

“One of the cool side effects of the program is that people become more engaged in their health. They now talk to their doctors about health and not just do what they are told to do.”

The Ornish program is a covered benefit under many HMSA, Medicare and other insurance programs. Co-payments for the Dr. Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease at ‘Ekahi Health Center range from no payment to $88 for participants who are medically eligible through their health care insurance, depending on their plan. Morning, evening and Saturday sessions are offered.

The ‘Ekahi Health Center is located at Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 6-D. Open houses are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month; validated parking isavailable. Visit ekahiornish.com or call 777-4001.

“Be Well” spotlights health and fitness topics and activities. Reach Nancy Arcayna at narcayna@staradvertiser.com or call 529-4808.