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

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease on cardiovascular disease as measured by the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery and compared this effect to outcomes from patients participating in traditional cardiac rehabilitation.

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Swedish American Health System.

Subjects: Ninety three patients with clinically confirmed coronary artery disease were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 46) or traditional cardiac rehabilitation (n = 47).

Intervention: Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease.

Measures: Ultrasound of the carotid artery and other cardiovascular risk factors were measured at baseline, 6, and 12 months.

Analysis: Intent-to-treat analysis.

Results: There was no significant reduction in the carotid intima-media thickness of the carotid artery in the Ornish group or the cardiac rehabilitation group. Ornish Program participants had significantly improved dietary habits (p < .001), weight (p < .001), and body mass index (p < .001) as compared with the rehabilitation group. The decrease in the number of patients with angina from baseline to 12 months was 44% in Ornish and 12% in cardiac rehabilitation.

Conclusions: The Ornish Program appears to causes improvements in cardiovascular risk factors but does not appear to change the atherosclerotic process as it affects the carotid artery.