Rebuilding heart health: The Pritikin approach at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital

When patients walk through the doors of Sentara Martha Jefferson Health and Wellness Center for the Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program, they begin a journey that transforms more than their heart health. They're investing in a lifestyle change across three pillars: exercise, nutrition and a healthy mindset.

"It's physical therapy for your heart," says Dr. Anna K. Baer, medical director of cardiac rehab at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. "But it's also emotional therapy. Especially after a heart event, it's meaningful to be surrounded by people who understand what you've been through."

What is the Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab Program

Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) is a 12-week medically supervised lifestyle program that meets three times a week. Designed for patients recovering from heart events, the program combines personalized care plans, hands-on workshops and expert guidance from a team of professionals.

The Pritikin program can assist patients in their recovery from a variety of cardiac events, including:

• Angina (chest pain)
• Chronic heart failure (CHF)
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Heart attack
• Heart valve repair or replacement
• Heart or heart/lung transplant
• Stenting or angioplasty

"We don't just tell patients what to do - we help them understand why," explains Cathy Reese, Supervisor of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehab at theSentara Martha Jefferson Health and Wellness Center, where the program takes place. "Once they understand the reasons behind lifestyle changes, they're more likely to take ownership of their health."

Family members are encouraged to join many of the classes, becoming part of the support system that reinforces long-term change.

Pritikin Pillar 1: Regular exercise

Exercise is about more than movement - it's about regaining control after a heart event. Each patient begins with a one-on-one assessment, which includes a review of their medical history, baseline fitness and goal-setting. Then, a custom care plan is developed and approved by Dr. Baer.

"We do telemetry monitoring during every exercise session," Reese notes. "That means we're tracking heart rhythms while patients are exercising, so it's safe and tailored to their current health."

Educational classes run alongside the workouts. These go beyond basic exercise instruction and delve into cardiovascular anatomy, risk factors and the science of how exercise protects the heart. Patients leave with not only stronger bodies, but also stronger knowledge to help prevent future heart events.

The exercise component is suitable for all fitness levels and physical abilities. "You shouldn't feel self-conscious," says Dr. Baer. "We work with people from all exercise backgrounds."

Pritikin Pillar 2: Heart-healthy nutrition

The second pillar of the Pritikin program focuses on real-world nutrition education, guided by a dietitian. Patients learn how to shop smart, read nutrition labels, and make good decisions when eating out. The dietitian also meets with patients individually to set personalized goals and guide them toward sustainable change.

The plan follows a Mediterranean-style, plant-forward philosophy that emphasizes lean meats, vegetables and healthy fats.

"This isn't a restrictive diet," Reese emphasizes. "It's not about becoming vegetarian—it's about eating more foods from the ground and reducing salt, sugar, and fat."

Every week, the team hosts a cooking demonstration, one of the most beloved parts of the program. Patients watch, learn, and taste heart-healthy meals made from the Pritikin recipe collection. Each session highlights practical skills, such as cooking with plant-based proteins or creating flavorful meals without excess sodium.

"This is our most popular class," says Reese. "It's interactive and fun. Patients get to taste new heart-healthy meals and leave with the recipes to recreate them at home."

Recent program participant Carol Carr says Sentara Dietitian Mary VanNortwick makes the cooking demonstrations practical and fun.

"It's hard to tell people they need to cut things out or eat other things, but she makes it a positive thing to try to attain," shares Carr.

Pritikin Pillar 3: A healthy mindset

Heart health isn't just physical, it's deeply emotional. The third pillar of the program addresses the psychological impact of heart events, offering support through:

• Stress and anxiety management
• Communication skills
• Goal-setting techniques
• Tobacco cessation resources

Patients are encouraged to share how heart issues have impacted their lives. Being part of a community where others are also recovering creates a sense of comfort.

"We're seeing younger people come in after serious heart events," says Dr. Baer. "That emotional trauma can be difficult, especially for someone who thought they were 'too young' for heart disease."

A lasting impact

For many Pritikin participants at Sentara Martha Jefferson, the results go far beyond the 12-week program timeline. Patients leave with new habits, improved confidence and a renewed sense of purpose.

"This is an investment in their future health," says Reese. "We're creating a toolbox of ways for them to take care of their heart even after the classes are over."

And it's working. Sentara Martha Jefferson boasts one of the highest attendance rates for the Pritikin program in the country. "Our staff is phenomenal," says Reese. "They genuinely care, and the patients feel that."

Carr seconds that sentiment. "They are the most caring group of people I've experienced in healthcare," Carr shares.

A new heart-healthy chapter

Heart events can be frightening and life-altering, but with the proper guidance, they can also be a turning point. The Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program at Sentara Martha Jefferson Health and Wellness Center empowers patients to take control of their health, one day, one meal and one mindset shift at a time.

Learn more about the Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab program at Sentara Martha Jefferson Health and Wellness Center

If you or a loved one has had a recent heart event and could benefit from the Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, talk to your cardiologist or health care provider about requesting a referral. A supervised, supportive program like Pritikin could be the next step toward improving your heart health and reclaiming your quality of life.