Intensive lifestyle changes for reversal of coronary heart disease.

A lifestyle that involves the regular intake of low-fat vegetarian diets, aerobic exercise, and stress reduction may improve and reverse the conditions of coronary heart disease patients.

This study evaluated the role intensive lifestyle changes play in the reversal of coronary heart disease. Researchers assigned 48 heart disease patients into 2 groups: the experimental group consisting of 28 patients and the control group made up of 20 patients. While the subjects in the control group was made to maintain their previous lifestyle, patients in the experiment group was made to undergo intensive lifestyle changes, involving the consumption of low-fat, plant-based foods, regular performance of aerobic exercise, reduction of stressful activities, avoidance of smoking, and psychosocial support for 5 years. The coronary artery stenosis diameter and the occurrence of adverse cardiac events were assessed periodically throughout the duration of the study.

Researchers observed that patients in the control group experienced approximately twice the number of adverse cardiac events than those in the experimental group had. According to this study, the measured coronary artery stenosis diameter increased in the control group but decreased in the experimental group during and after lifestyle intervention. The findings of this study support the theory that maintenance of a healthy lifestyle by patients may contribute positively to the regression and reversal of coronary atherosclerosis and heart disease.