Cardiovascular Risk Clinic (CRC)
Cardiovascular Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Cardiovascular Disease focused on measuring lifestyle modification, diet, exercise, cardiovascular disease, gene expression, obesity
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: at least one known risk factor for cardiovascular disease:
- Family history of CAD (first degree relative)
- Physician-diagnosed diabetes or stroke
- Overweight (BMI/=25) or obese (BMI>/=30)
- Total cholesterol >/=200, documented history of hypercholesterolemia, or currently taking lipid lowering medications
- History of smoking
- HDL </=44 mg/dl
- LDL >/=130 mg/dl or documented history of hyperlipidemia
- Elevated triglycerides (>/=200 mg/dl)
- Hypertension (systolic blood pressure >/=130 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure >/=85 mmHg, documented diagnosis of hypertension, or currently taking antihypertensive medications)
- Diabetes (fasting glucose >/=100 mg/dl, physician diagnosis of diabetes/pre-diabetes, or currently taking anti-glycemic medications)
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or at risk for PTSD
- Insomnia (five hours of sleep per night or less) or sleep apnea
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age <18 years of age
- Unstable coronary syndromes, refractory congestive heart failure, uncontrolled arrhythmia, or high-grade uncorrected cardiac conduction abnormalities
- Any contraindication to components to Program, such as physical disabilities precluding stretching and aerobic exercise or medical conditions that preclude consumption of foods essential to Program diet
- Inability or unwillingness to give consent
- Significant left main stenosis (>50%) or ejection fraction <35% with no revascularization
- History of substance abuse (including alcohol) without self-certification of abstinence for at least three months
- Non-ambulatory (bedridden) individuals
Sites / Locations
- Windber Research Institute
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Lifestyle modification
Usual care controls
The intervention group participated in individualized therapeutic lifestyle plans to reduce cardiovascular risk. Participants were introduced to factors contributing to cardiovascular disease and met individually with a registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, stress management instructor, and psychologist to learn effective strategies for integrating healthy changes into their current lifestyle.
Control group received standard care from their primary physicians, but did not participate in any component of the lifestyle program or receive any information, advice, or counseling regarding healthy lifestyle behaviors.