The Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Clinical Cardiovascular Health at Mount Sinai Heart

Abstract

Cardiometabolic risk is increasing in prevalence, requiring a systematic approach to the problem. The Lifestyle Medicine Center is an essential part of efforts to address traditional and residual risk factors. The Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Clinical Cardiovascular Health at Mount Sinai Heart is modeled after concepts from Lifestyle Medicine: A Manual for Clinical Practice, published in 2016, and is implemented by offering an integrated and comprehensive health program, focused on preventive cardiology. Core features of this type of Lifestyle Medicine Center include a high-touch/high-tech immersive environment, multidisciplinary teams, an emphasis on cardiometabolic risk mitigation, and durable follow-up. Key programs within this Lifestyle Medicine Clinical Service Line include cardiology, endocrinology, nutrition, exercise physiology, and diabetes technology. Specific resources include a licensed Cardiac Rehabilitation program, medical fitness gym, and dedicated registered dietitian clinical practice. The main objective for the Center is to improve health in all patients anywhere on the spectrum from wellness to illness and achieve (with all programs aggregated) at least revenue neutrality. This includes improved hard metrics (weight loss, hemoglobin A1c, LDL-cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, etc.), reduced symptom burden, and happiness. Medical education and community engagement are other priorities. Challenges are primarily related to scalability in terms of physical space, staffing, and economics. Lifestyle Medicine Centers are the future of preventive care, especially in cardiology and endocrinology, as they can actualize integrated and holistic approaches that reduce the burden of chronic diseases.