If you have a friend or family member suffering from heart disease, you can help them. Ornish Lifestyle Medicine effectively treats heart disease, and Sentara Heart provides it exclusively in Virginia.
The program focuses on improving 4 lifestyle components — diet, exercise, stress management and emotional support. With your encouragement, your loved one can enjoy a longer, healthier and more joyful life.
Ornish Lifestyle Medicine in Virginia
If your loved one enters the Ornish Lifestyle Medicine program at Sentara Heart, show your support by learning about the program. You can find out more by:
- Attending an Ornish Reversal Program Open House
- Speaking to an Ornish Care Specialist by phone at 1-877-888-3091
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the program.
Ornish Benefits for Your Love One
One way to support an Ornish program participant is to provide reminders about the benefits of a long, healthy life. These benefits can include:
- Being able to see children grow up
- Meeting grandchildren
- Traveling to new places
- Having energy and enthusiasm every day
Learn more about the benefits of Ornish Lifestyle Medicine.
Promote the Diet Plan
Once in the Ornish Lifestyle Medicine program, your loved one needs to eat a healthier diet. Changes can sometimes feel overwhelming, so focus on the positive. You can:
- Shop for and prepare meals together
- Discuss the many new foods you can try
- Point out how delicious the recipes are
- Emphasize that you are gaining more than you are losing by eating like they are
Learn more about the Ornish diet.
Exercise and Manage Stress Together
Daily exercise and stress management will become top priorities for your loved one. These changes can be challenging and require a lot of love and support.
Make a point to exercise together. When friends and family become active together, it is easier to turn exercise into a lifetime habit. You will also experience the benefits:
- Weight loss
- Improved strength and endurance
- Better overall health
- Stronger connection to each other
Be a Good Friend
Your loved one will likely need a lot of support, especially when things are hard. Check in often, and even set up a regular time to discuss the program.
In your chats, avoid the urge to judge, criticize or offer too much advice. Your job is to be supportive and listen.
Contact Us
Speak to a trained Ornish Care Specialist at 1-877-888-3091. Specialists can answer questions about all aspects of the program.