At Integrated Heart Center, we believe that heart disease is preventable, and we have the research to back it up. By addressing the root causes of heart disease and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress management, we can dramatically reduce the risk of heart attacks. Our comprehensive, evidence-based approach focuses on prevention, rehabilitation, and reversal through a combination of modern medicine and integrative practices.
A groundbreaking study by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn in 1995 demonstrated the power of a whole food, plant-based diet in reversing blockages. The study showed significant angiographic reversal of blockages with diet control alone. This was further reinforced in 2014, when a larger trial of 198 patients involving intensive counseling and dietary compliance achieved an 87% compliance rate, leading to significant improvements in heart health.
Dr. Dean Ornish's 1998 study was pivotal in understanding the role of lifestyle changes in reversing coronary heart disease. His randomized controlled trial of 48 patients showed that intensive lifestyle changes, including a vegetarian diet, exercise, stress management, smoking cessation, and group psychosocial support, led to significant blockage reversal. The results of this study highlighted that lifestyle interventions can be more effective than medication alone in reversing heart disease.
The REVERSAL trial was the first study to demonstrate the potential for halting blockage progression with high-dose Atorvastatin. This was followed by several large trials, including ASTEROID, SATURN, and PRECISE IVUS, which collectively enrolled over 1500 patients. These studies provided strong evidence that statins, especially Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin, can not only halt but also reverse coronary artery disease when used in high doses.
Recent studies have shown that PCSK9 inhibitors, a class of potent injectable drug,s can lower LDL cholesterol levels by up to 85%, significantly reducing plaque buildup. The GLAGOV, HUYGENS, and PACMAN AMI randomized trials enrolled over 1500 patients and showed impressive results in reversing blockage, with LDL cholesterol levels reduced to between 23 and 36 mg/dL.
At Integrated Heart Center, we believe in the power of science and research to guide our treatment protocols. All of our programs, from prevention to rehabilitation, are based on the latest evidence in cardiology, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine. We continue to track and update our protocols based on the latest research findings, ensuring our patients receive the best care possible.
By combining the most cutting-edge medical treatments with time-tested holistic practices, we offer a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to heart health that has shown remarkable success in preventing, managing, and even reversing heart disease.