Abstract
Background: This study documents the effects of an intensive 18-day lifestyle program on EKG stress test readings of the ST segment. Improving EKG readings could be a positive indicator of cardiovascular improvement. Methods: The medical residential program takes place in Weimar California. The intervention could be summarized in the word NEWSTART which means Nutrition, Exercise, Water, proper Sunlight exposure, fresh Air, Rest and Trust (in relational, spiritual, and psychological aspects). Physicians, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, physical therapist, psychological and spiritual counselors are part of the team. Every patient does a treadmill test (using the Bruce protocol) before and after the 18 day program and a before and after blood tests. Board certified physicians monitored the progress of each patient. Data from 11 years of retrospective recordings were used. From n=2091 patients in the data base, n=145 were used in the study because they had a stress test induced ST depression of 2 mm on two EKG leads or more at baseline. No angiography was available at the institution. Results: Average age of patients was 64 (SD 10.5), n=81 (56%) female, and n=131 (90%) were Americans. At baseline the group with ST depression in more than two leads had a mean ST depression in mm of 3.9, SD 2.3, max 13, median 3, mode 2 in the most affected lead. At the end of the 18 days the same group had a mean ST depression in mm was 2.7, SD 2.7, max 12, median 0, mode 0 on the most affected lead. After the 18 days the stress test reported that n=70 (48.2%) had improvement as seen in an improvement of the ST depression during the stress test. While n=64 (44.1%) had the same level of ST depression during the last stress test and n=11 (7.5%) worsen the ST depression during the end stress test. The changes in the ST segment were significant according to the paired t-test t(144)=5.421 with a p<.001. The n=145 lost 4 pounds of weight on average (SD 4) at the end of the 18 days, No heart infarctions occurred during the intervention. Conclusion: The intensive lifestyle interventions seem to be effective in improving ST depression. Improvement of ST depression could improve long term prognosis. Further follow up is advised.
Published Version
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