Effects of a Health‐Partner Intervention on Cardiovascular Risk

Abstract

BackgroundLifestyle modifications are first‐line measures for cardiovascular disease prevention. Whether lifestyle intervention also preserves cardiovascular health is less clear. Our study examined the role of a Health Partner–administered lifestyle intervention on metrics of ideal cardiovascular health.Methods and ResultsA total of 711 university employees (48±11 years; 66% women, 72% Caucasian/22.5% African Americans) enrolled in a program that promoted healthier lifestyles at Emory University (Atlanta, GA). Anthropometric, laboratory, and physical activity measurements were performed at baseline and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years of follow‐up. Results were utilized by the Health Partner to generate a personalized plan aimed at meeting ideal health metrics. Compared to baseline, at each of the 6‐month, 1‐year, and 2‐year follow‐up visits, systolic blood pressure was lower by 3.6, 4.6, and 3.3 mm Hg (P<0.001), total cholesterol decreased by 5.3, 6.5, and 6.4 mg/dL (P<0.001), body mass index declined by 0.33, 0.45, and 0.38 kg/m2 (P<0.001), and the percentage of smokers decreased by 1.3%, 3.5%, and 3.5% (P<0.01), respectively. Changes were greater in those with greater abnormalities at baseline. Finally, the American Heart Association “Life's Simple 7” ideal cardiovascular health score increased by 0.28, 0.40, and 0.33 at 6 month, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively, compared to baseline visit.ConclusionsA personalized, goal‐directed Health Partner intervention significantly improved the cardiometabolic risk profile and metrics of cardiovascular health. These effects were evident at 6 months following enrollment and were sustained for 2 years. Whether the Health Partner intervention improves long‐term morbidity and mortality and is cost‐effective needs further investigation.

Relation of Changes in Body Fat Distribution to Oxidative Stress

“…In a previous study on this cohort, we have shown that ideal health metrics, including weight, insulin resistance, and blood pressure, were preserved in otherwise healthy subjects with the presence of CVD risk factors over time. 4 However, questions regarding changes in fat distribution rather than weight alone with lifestyle interventions remained unclear. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that a specific decrease in android, but not gynoid, adiposity induced by changes in lifestyle behaviors improves OS.…”

“…Subjects visited the Emory-Georgia Tech Center for Health Discovery and Well Being for detailed phenotyping as previously outlined. 4 At the baseline visit, each subject was assigned a health partner, a subject who was specifically trained to utilize the subjects’ data profiles and develop health-related goals and a personalized action plan at each visit. Subjects with an acute illness, hospitalization within the past year, pregnant women, and subjects with poorly controlled medical conditions were excluded.…”

“…5 At the baseline visit, each subject was assigned 1 of 6 health partners, individuals who were specifically trained to utilize subjects’ data profiles and to collaboratively generate a health goal and personalized action plan at each visit. 4 Details of the HP intervention are described in the supplement section (Appendix S1). BMI was calculated as weight in kilogram/(height in meter).…”

Tryptophan catabolism reflects disease activity in human tuberculosis

“…All tests were interpreted according to the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (53,54). Controls without LTBI were United States-born adults at low risk for M. tuberculosis exposure and infection, who had at least 1 negative TST within the year before plasma collection documented in medical records (55).…”

Comparison of physical examination and laboratory data between a clinical study and electronic health records

“…The investigation evaluated a longitudinal intervention study of generally healthy working adults without uncontrolled disease that focused on maintaining health under the auspices of the Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute (Atlanta, GA, USA). The details of the study protocol has been described previously [8]. Briefly, a total of 711 Emory University or Healthcare employees were enrolled in 2008-2012.…”