Sometimes people know they need to make some changes for their physical health, but the hard part is knowing where to start.

The Spectrum program at St. Mary’s Regional Heart Institute in Huntington, W.Va., is designed for them. Developed by Dr. Dean Ornish, the program is for people with diabetes, heart disease and those who have significant risk factors for heart disease.

From 5:30 until 7 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s will host an open house for The Spectrum, allowing people to know more about it in room 212 of the heart institute.

Jeff Heflin, registered nurse and exercise physiologist, said the program has been going on for about a year, and the sixth group will be starting April 21.

For those who choose to join The Spectrum, their cholesterol, blood sugar, height and weight will be checked at the beginning of the program and again at the end of the six weeks to compare.

The program is also for anyone just looking to feel better. Helflin said, program will cover topics like stress management, exercise and the importance of having good support in life.

“We also do a grocery store tour with our dietician,” Heflin said. He said the diet of the program is mostly, but not entirely, vegetarian. He said the needs of the people in the class vary from person to person.

“The whole notion of the spectrum is that people choose where they fall on the health spectrum, based on where they are and what they want to accomplish. They choose what they want to do,” Heflin said.

Heflin said the cost of the program without insurance is $192, but that it is covered by some insurance plans, Heflin said. More information on this will be discussed at the open house.

The open house is free and open to the public. People can register by calling (304) 526-8072.