Diabetes Program Helps Patient Reverse Heart Disease

 Florida Hospital Diabetes Program Helps Patient Reverse Heart Disease

Lifestyle changes are the key to controlling chronic diseases such as Diabetes

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 11 , 2010 - The New York Times cites research showing that nearly 80 percent of people fail to keep their New Year's resolutions past Valentine's Day. However, for some people, keeping their resolutions can literally mean the difference between life and death. Carl Smith, a 70 year-old contractor, suffered a silent heart attack as a result of his diabetes and that experience helped Carl realize he needed to make a drastic life change to become a healthier individual.

"I learned the hard way that silent heart attacks can occur in diabetics," Carl said. "I underwent several procedures and realized I needed to make a major change in my life because my body wasn't allowing blood to flow to my heart. After completing the Florida Hospital Wellspring Diabetes Program for the first time, my arteries have opened 50 percent. For the most part, I was able to control my disease without pills or chemicals. I simply treated my body better and I got better."

Because of his lifestyle changes, Carl had a reversal of heart disease and his diabetes is now under control. This change, he believes, is due largely to the fact that he made and has kept a resolution to get healthy without relying on medications.

"My family has a strong history of diabetes and I always thought it was disease that I was just going to have to deal with," he said. "But, by changing my diet and my level of activity, I have been able to treat my disease naturally. That is true health reform, if you ask me."

With the help of Florida Hospital's Wellspring Diabetes Program, run by Dr. George Guthrie, people just like Carl have learned the tools to change their lifestyles to deal with the causes of diabetes, not just the symptoms.

"This program is an intensive lifestyle intervention and is not for everyone," said Dr. Guthrie. "There is no magic pill that can treat the underlying cause of diabetes but we can help patients adjust their lifestyle which is the major underlying cause of diabetes. Patients who make lifestyle changes are able to manage their diseases with little or no medications."

The Wellspring Diabetes Program allows patients to come together in a group setting to learn the tools necessary to control their diabetes, share their experiences and learn from each other. This program is one of the only programs in Central Florida that teaches patients how to control their disease through lifestyle changes. The program runs for eight weeks with two sessions a week. Patients can repeat the program to continue to benefit from the support given by the group.

For media inquiries, please contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.

www.floridahospitalnews.com

###