Physical Therapy and Heart Disease

Now, more than ever, it’s important that we all focus on our health. May is dedicated to a lot of health-related awareness days and this year, we want to focus on the elephant in the room – heart disease. Heart disease is the number one killer of men and is continuing to worsen year after year for both men and women. To combat this, NARA wants to highlight how physical therapy can have a positive impact on heart health.  

First, it’s important to understand that there are different illnesses associated with heart disease including hypertension, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. These different issues require different attention that only the physical therapist can determine. However, with 1 in every 4 deaths resulting from heart disease, it’s important to take these things into heavy consideration when developing a PT plan. 

Thankfully, most of us already understand that regular exercise is important for our health. However, new and old injuries, surgery and age can prevent us from getting the movement that we need. That’s where therapists come in. Physical therapists are musculoskeletal experts trained to get the body back into working order by: 

• Diagnosing or assessing the root cause of the pain 

• Treating problem areas with custom care plans tailored for the individual 

• Teaching and promoting correct form and posture while moving to prevent future injuries 

The American Heart Association recommends five 30-minute moderate exercise sessions each week. This regular cardio helps to strengthen heart and blood vessels, improve oxygen distribution throughout the body, and reduce risks of heart disease, strokes and diabetes. A simple walk, bike ride or therapy session all count towards those 30 minutes. By working closely with a therapist, a clear-cut path to increased exercise and wellness can be developed.  

Join NARA this month in the fight against heart disease! Acknowledging the help that PT professionals can provide when it comes to overall heart health can aid this fight. If you’re looking for more support from like-minded professionals, join NARA today!