Since beginning the recommended lifestyle changes, their cholesterol and blood pressure levels have fallen, and they have experienced fewer chest pains and angina. One participant has avoided a heart transplant and a lifetime of anti-rejection drug therapy, he added. Graduates of the program are genuinely happier, less hostile and have learned how to cope with stress. It's truly an outstanding, and potentially lifesaving, option for individuals facing bypass surgery or angioplasty. There is a fee for non-HealthGuard members.
Limited scholarships are available for financially eligible non-members.
All participants are responsible for the costs of lodging, if desired. The results of Dr. Ornish's studies have been reported in The Lancet, the Journal of the American Medical Association and other respected medical publications. He is also the author of the best-selling books, Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease and Eat More Weigh Less. HealthGuard is excited to offer such a program that can, in many cases, yield positive benefits within the first few weeks. HealthGuard, based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and a subsidiary of Highmark Inc., provides health coverage to approximately 112,000 enrolled members in its commercial and Medicare programs.