ICHP Offers Translational Research Model

The Integrative Cardiac Health Project (ICHP) provides a unique set of services for its patients. Emphasizing cardiovascular disease prevention, the project uses multidisciplinary teams of cardiologists, exercise physiologists, nutritionists and stress management experts to reduce cardiovascular risk through early-detection screening and individualized lifestyle planning.

“We believe ICHP’s translational research model will result in the ability to better understand the biological basis of heart disease and diabetes, which can translate into new cures and improved patient outcomes,” said COL (Ret.) Marina Vernalis, D.O., the program’s director. “ICHP’s unique, individualized therapeutic lifestyle plans and tailored patient-centered approach significantly empower patients” to prevent diabetes and reduce cardiac risk.

“At present, there are virtually no useful molecular markers for detection of early heart disease development or optimal preventive strategies to combat overweight or obesity, which lead to heart disease and diabetes,” Vernalis said. “By identifying molecular changes that occur during the development of heart disease, diabetes and obesity, we can potentially develop more effective treatments.”

The project’s molecular studies have identified a subset of 414 genes exhibiting highly significant changes in gene expression among patients in the lifestyle modification program. These changes were significantly correlated with improvement in cardiovascular risk factors.

Future research endeavors will assess strategies to improve and sustain healthy lifestyle behaviors, the impact of lifestyle interventions on cardiovascular risk, and biologic mechanisms through which lifestyle changes exert their influence. Through this research, the Defense Department has a unique opportunity to identify and address adverse behaviors and risk factors early and make cardiovascular health a part of the military culture.

The project’s research model allows scientists “to dynamically weave a tapestry of subjective and objective data measures that can guide an individual’s plan of care for maximum benefit,” Vernalis said. For instance, experiments with wearable sensors are yielding next-generation tools for rapid, objective assessments of lifestyle behaviors, such as activity, energy expenditure and sleep.

Such unique, integrative approaches “will play a pivotal role in using personalized medicine to optimize health and human performance in our military and civilian personnel,” Vernalis said.