Adults who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.   An initial cardiovascular risk assessment with a nurse practitioner can alert you to conditions that could be life threatening.  If you are diabetic, or have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or kidney disease, you are at risk and are strongly encouraged to take action by getting involved in a program that will help.

Cardiovascular health at New Horizon is a focus that calls upon our multi-disciplined staff to work with you weekly to improve your condition.  All of the support mechanisms are in place and the team is ready to help every patient transition to a healthier lifestyle.  Lowering weight, cholesterol and blood pressure with an improved exercise regimen and nutrition plan will help you help to lower your cardiovascular risk level.

The American Medical Association (AMA) declared obesity (BMI>30) a disease last month and this has new implications for the medical community.  Physicians seeing obese patients are obligated to offer patients multi-component behavioral interventions or refer them to programs that provide the multi-disciplined approach.  The main benefit from this effort is to help obese people change their eating and physical activity behaviors, lose weight and reduce the risk of disease.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded in 2012 after a review of medical literature that the most successful programs in improving Patients’ health were “intensive, multi-component behavioral interventions.”  They involve 12 to 26 counseling sessions a year with a physician or community-based program.   The Task Force went on to explain that successful programs set weight-loss goals, improve knowledge about nutrition, teach patients how to track their eating and set limits and strategize on ways to maintain lifestyle changes.

Under current health care law, Medicare and most private insurers would be required to cover the entire cost of weight-loss services.  At New Horizon Medical, patients participate in the weight-loss program for the cost of a co-pay at their weekly weight-loss specialty visits.  New Horizon serves Norwood, MA and the communities of Sharon, Walpole, Westwood, Dedham, Milton, Canton and Randolph.  New Horizon offers complete and customized weight-loss programs as well as the medically supervised OPTIFAST Weight-Loss and Management Program.  Free phone consultations are offered at 781-269-5400.