Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) is a complete lifestyle education program of diet and exercise and promotes a healthy mind-set.
Pritikin ICR originated at the Pritikin Longevity Center, a full-service health resort located in Miami, Florida, and is now conveniently available to Columbus Regional Health patients.
By partnering with Pritikin ICR, we are able
to offer the opportunity for improved health outcomes and reduced readmissions, which aligns with our continued commitment to provide high-quality care to the Bartholomew County community and surrounding areas.
The Pritikin Philosophy
The Pritikin Program emphasizes exercise, a healthy mindset and an eating plan focused on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, lean meat, nonfat dairy, and protein-rich plant foods like legumes, or beans.
The Pritikin Program is a scientifically-proven approach to reducing your chances of having another heart event.
Numerous studies have documented the Pritikin Program’s ability to lower blood cholesterol levels, improve blood pressure and blood sugar control, and reduce other lifestyle-related risk factors.
Pritikin ICR involves eating well, exercising regularly, and nurturing a healthy mind that promotes long-term health and well-being.
Heart Health Tools
Patients go to the cardiac rehab center three times a week for individual exercise sessions while nurses monitor their condition and their progress. During the sessions, patients also:
- Watch educational videos about reducing their risk factors for heart disease
- Learn about heart-healthy nutrition
- Attend healthy cooking demonstrations
- Learn stress-reduction techniques
Proven Effective
Studies showed that within three weeks of adopting the Pritikin Program:
- 83% of individuals taking drugs for high blood pressure markedly reduced their dosages or stopped taking the drugs completely.
- LDL (bad) cholesterol fell an average of 23%and triglyceride levels plunged 33%.
- 74% of people with Type 2 diabetes decreased their dosages or eliminated their oral drugs.
Medicare Coverage
All Pritikin Programs are covered by Medicare for qualifying individuals. The medical conditions that qualify for Medicare reimbursement include heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, stable angina (chest pain), heart or heart-lung transplants and heart valve repair or replacements.