Sometimes one man’s story allows us to zoom in and witness the impact of lifestyle change on disease.

The peer-review Cardiology journal Hindawi reported a dramatic reversal of angina in a case study published earlier this year. Presenting with chest discomfort, emotional stress and a family history of acute myocardial infarction, a 60 year old man had borderline elevated blood pressure, BMI (body mass index) and lipid levels, with limited functional capacity due to angina.

The patient declined invasive testing and drug therapy, including antiplatelet and cholesterol lowering agents. Instead, with physician counseling, he chose to adopt a whole-food plant-based diet and gradually increase his exercise regimens.

Within weeks of his lifestyle change his symptoms improved. After four months, his BMI and cholesterol were controlled and his blood pressure normalized. Previously unable to exercise, he could now walk one mile without chest pain. Two years after initial presentation he remains asymptomatic without traditional interventions and jogs four miles without incident.

Researchers note that evidence shows “A whole-food plant-based diet improves plasma lipids, glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, reduces weight and blood pressure, improves vascular function, may profoundly improve coronary artery disease , and is associated with reduced mortality.”

They conclude by stating “Our case reinforces these findings and highlights that even in our ‘modern’ Western society such improvements can be achieved without medications or procedures.”