What Is the Role of Physiotherapy in Managing Heart Disease?
However, heart diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, or arrhythmias have the potential to significantly impact energy levels, daily activities, and overall quality of life. If left unmanaged, these conditions may lead to severe complications.
Heart health is critical for our well-being, as the heart’s role is to pump blood throughout the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients to our organs. When functioning optimally, the cardiovascular system allows people to live active lives.
As such, working on our heart health is something we should all be doing. Managing heart health requires a multifaceted approach, including proper nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management. Physiotherapy often plays a large role in this journey, providing evidence-based techniques designed to support cardiovascular health, recovery, and long-term well-being.
This article explains the role of physiotherapy in managing heart disease. For personalised advice, contact our team at Muscle Joint Bone today.
The Connection Between Heart Health and Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy aims to address both the prevention and rehabilitation of heart conditions, making it key in managing cardiovascular health. Through tailored exercise programs, education, and ongoing support, physiotherapy may help people recover from heart-related incidents and may even prevent future complications.
Managing Heart Disease with Physiotherapy
Some of the key ways physiotherapists work with people with heart disease include:
1. Exercise Therapy
Exercise is the main component of physiotherapy for heart disease management. Physiotherapists develop personalised exercise programs based on each person’s health condition, fitness level, and recovery goals.
Exercise therapy doesn’t just aim to enhance physical fitness, however— it may also assist in lowering blood pressure, improving cholesterol levels, and controlling weight, all of which are key factors in heart disease prevention and management.
While highly individualised, these programs often include:
- Aerobic exercises such as walking, cycling, and swimming
- Strength training aimed towards building muscle strength and supporting overall physical function without overloading the heart
- Flexibility and balance exercises in an effort to reduce the risk of falls, particularly in older adults or people recovering from surgery
2. Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs
Physiotherapists play an important role in cardiac rehabilitation programs by guiding people through exercise routines, monitoring progress, and ensuring people return to their daily activities gradually. These programs are designed to:
- Reduce the psychological and physiological stress of cardiovascular disease
- Improve cardiac function and capacity
- Provide education on lifestyle changes in an effort to prevent disease progression
3. Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
After heart surgery such as a bypass or valve repair, physiotherapy steps in and focuses on helping people to regain their strength and mobility. Post-surgical rehabilitation aims to ensure a smooth transition from hospital care to everyday life, with a focus on long-term heart health. Components may include:
- Breathing exercises designed to improve lung function and oxygen levels
- Gentle movement exercises in an effort to prevent stiffness and blood clots
- Gradual progression from less to more intense activities as recovery advances
4. Education and Lifestyle Coaching
Education is a powerful component of physiotherapy, giving people the tools and self-management strategies they need. Beyond physical recovery, physiotherapists may also provide:
- Lifestyle advice such as tips on how to maintain a heart-healthy diet, manage stress, and quit smoking or drinking
- Home exercise plans designed to sustain physical activity between sessions
- Monitoring and goal setting, encouraging regular check-ins to track progress and set achievable health goals
The Potential Benefits of Physiotherapy in Heart Disease Management
Physiotherapy may provide many potential benefits for heart disease management, including:
- Improved cardiovascular fitness— Exercise therapy aims to strengthen the heart and enhance its ability to pump blood efficiently
- Reduced risk of complications— Physiotherapy may reduce risks such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis by promoting an active lifestyle
- Enhanced recovery— Post-surgical rehabilitation may help people regain their strength and mobility after heart-related procedures like bypass surgery or a valve replacement
- Long-term lifestyle changes— Physiotherapists often educate people on how to make sustainable lifestyle changes in an effort to better maintain heart health
Follow Your Heart to Muscle Joint Bone
At Muscle Joint Bone, we believe every heart deserves quality care. Our physiotherapists in Epping, Doreen, and Balwyn North are dedicated to supporting your heart health through personalised programs designed around your needs. Whether you’re recovering from a cardiac event, managing a chronic condition, or hoping to prevent heart disease in the future, we want to help. To find out more, book your appointment today!