Decrease of cardiovascular risk in obese patients who participated in a lifestyle medicine program

Disminución del riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes obesos que participaron en un programa de medicina de estilo de vida

Abstract

Lifestyle Medicine in the management of chronic diseases such as obesity is essential to reduce cardiovascular risk and to reverse the disease process (1). Objective: To determine if a Lifestyle Medicine program can reduce cardiovascular risk in obese adults in Colombia. Material and methods: Descriptive observational study cases series type followed for 6 months in a Lifestyle Medicine Clinic. 9 patients were included taking into account 2 measures of cardiovascular risk as a parameter to complete the program. The following measurements were taken: cardiovascular risk using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) calculator, Body Mass Index (BMI), lipid profile, history of smoking, history of diabetes, and systolic blood pressure. Results: Of the 9 obese patients, 22% had an intermediate cardiovascular risk and 78% had a low risk at the beginning of the study. After 6 months, it was achieved that 100% of the participants had a low cardiovascular risk; Furthermore, 11% of the patients managed to normalize their blood pressure values ​​and 20% showed a decrease in high blood pressure values. In addition, 22% went from type 3 obesity to type 2 obesity. Finally, through psychological consultation, it was possible to reduce anxiety levels from high to intermediate in at least 44% of the participants. Conclusions: The Lifestyle Medicine program, in a group of obese patients, managed to achieve a low cardiovascular risk, the decrease and normalization of blood pressure figures and reduction in BMI in participants who completed the study.