Blue Shield of California Members Can Now Treat Heart Disease From Home

Health Care

OAKLAND, California—Blue Shield of California members now have virtual access to Ornish Lifestyle Medicine, an intensive cardiac rehab program designed to help prevent, treat and even reverse heart disease through lifestyle change.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in California and across the nation, and the expansion of this program aims to help more Californians improve their cardiac health by providing a virtual access option to a successful in-person program.

“At Blue Shield of California, we believe making lifestyle changes have the power to help people with chronic conditions,” said Jennifer Christian-Herman, Blue Shield of California vice president of MindBody Medicine. “Dr. Dean Ornish is an influential leader at the forefront of lifestyle medicine and together we are driving easier access to quality care and creating better heart health outcomes for our members.”

Ornish Lifestyle Medicine is a 72-hour, 9-week heart disease reversal program through lifestyle intervention methods. Participating members can join 4-hour virtual sessions twice a week—with the time equally dedicated to exercise, stress management, interactive lessons and a support group.  

To enhance the experience of participating from the comfort of home, participants receive:

  • Food: Two weeks’ worth of fresh, delicious, and heart-healthy premade meals (three meals a day, plus snacks) to kickstart a new way of eating.
  • Technology: A heart rate monitor, scale, and blood pressure cuff for continuous tracking.
  • Equipment: An activity mat and other equipment for exercise and relaxation.
  • Support: Throughout the 9 weeks, participants will connect with each other in support group sessions, supporting each other through making important lifestyle changes, in addition to classes and coaching.

Until now, Blue Shield of California members had access to the Ornish Lifestyle Medicine program in-person at Marin Health and UCLA Health. Those 159 participating members saw improvement in their health outcomes after nine weeks. The results include:

  • 71.4% reduction in angina
  • 23.3% decrease in total cholesterol
  • 36.8% decrease in LDL cholesterol
  • 10% decrease in triglycerides
  • 40.4% decrease in depression
  • 3.5% decrease in A1c levels
  • 20.1% increase in exercise capacity

“Backed by over 45 years of research, Ornish Lifestyle Medicine remains the only program scientifically proven to often reverse heart disease without drugs or surgery,” said Dean Ornish, MD, founder of Ornish Lifestyle Medicine. “I have seen what a powerful difference this program can make to people’s lives and am proud to expand this program to reach more Californians by offering it virtually through Blue Shield of California. Everyone deserves the chance to change their health—no matter where they live, or what their mobility and transportation limitations might be.”

The program is available to members enrolled in Blue Shield’s employer-sponsored, individual and family, and Medicare PPO plans who have a history of heart disease or a cardiac event. The collaboration is part of the company’s larger effort to reimagine health care through lifestyle medicine. Members can also access Blue Shield’s Wellvolution program, which offers a suite of lifestyle medicine-based digital solutions, focusing on diabetes, mental health, tobacco cessation and weight loss.

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