How Pasadena-based Nudj Health is revolutionizing cardiac rehabilitation with virtual care – Pasadena Now

For the millions of Americans living with heart disease, the road to recovery can be long and arduous. Many patients struggle to access or adhere to the traditional model of cardiac rehabilitation, which involves frequent hospital or clinic visits, supervised exercise, and education.

But what if there was a way to perform cardiac rehabilitation in the comfort of your own home, with personalized support from a team of experts and colleagues? That’s the vision for Nudj Health, a Pasadena-based medical service that provides mental health and lifestyle interventions.

In partnership with Sharecare’s Ornish Lifestyle Medicine, Nudj Health has launched the new Nudj Cardiac Complete program. The program provides unique virtual intensive cardiac rehabilitation (v-ICR) and evidence-based collaborative care for heart patients. The program aims to improve outcomes and reduce costs while enhancing access, adoption, and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation.

The Nudj Cardiac Complete program is the first of its kind to combine v-ICR and collaborative therapy, two proven approaches proven to improve the health and well-being of heart patients. V-ICR is an at-home version of the Ornish Program, a comprehensive lifestyle intervention scientifically proven to improve heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Collaborative care is a team-based care model that integrates primary care, specialty care, and behavioral health to address the physical and mental health needs of patients with chronic illnesses.

By offering these services through a virtual platform, Nudj Health is reaching more patients who could benefit from cardiac rehabilitation, especially those who face barriers such as distance, transportation, cost, and stigma. We want to reach you.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. However, only 20% of the approximately 1.3 million eligible U.S. population participates in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation each year.

The Nudj Cardiac Complete program aims to address this gap and improve the health of people who have experienced heart failure, a heart attack, or undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. The program also aims to empower patients to take control of their own health and well-being by providing them with the tools, skills and support they need to make lasting lifestyle changes.

“Patients’ lifestyle choices, social determinants of health, and mental well-being are critical factors in the prevention, treatment, and potential recovery from heart disease,” said Founder and CEO of Nudj Health. Yuri Sudhakar said in a statement. “Ornish Lifestyle Medicine has been a pioneer in incorporating lifestyle changes directly into patient care, and we are thrilled to incorporate virtual programs into his Nudj Cardiac Complete offering to physician groups across the country.”

A recent study comparing virtual intensive cardiac rehabilitation to a standard cardiac rehabilitation program showed significant benefits, including a 3.4% reduction in body weight and an 11.3% reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the statement said. The v-ICR group was also found to be less likely to experience serious adverse cardiac events, the statement said.

Ornish Lifestyle Medicine offers a 72-hour program to reverse heart disease and improve heart function without medication or surgery. The program focuses on nutrition, fitness, stress management, love and support, and provides a dedicated team of clinical experts for each program cohort.

Dr. Dean Ornish, founder of Ornish Lifestyle Medicine, said Nudj Health is excited to be able to offer intensive cardiac rehabilitation programs virtually. He said Cardiac Complete will make his Ornish Lifestyle Medicine available to everyone, no matter where they live, removing barriers to access and reducing health inequalities.

“Our program remains the only program scientifically proven in randomized controlled trials to reverse the progression of coronary heart disease through lifestyle changes alone,” said Dr. Ornish. Told. “Medicare began offering coverage in 2010 and in 2021 became the first to cover lifestyle medicine programs to reverse heart disease through telemedicine platforms like Zoom.”

Nudj Health said Cardiac Complete provides three important care pathway services.

• Heart Health/Risk Reduction: A monthly program accredited by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine that provides lifestyle and behavioral health improvements to patients.

• Virtual Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (v-ICR): A virtual extension of hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation for patients who have experienced a significant cardiac event.

• Post-ICR Care: Continue post-rehabilitation care to help patients maintain and build on their success.

For more information, please visit www.nudjhealth.com.