Heart Health Awareness Month: Integrating Cardiovascular Exercise into Physical Therapy
By: Marie Serrado
February isn't just about chocolates and flowers, it's also American Heart Awareness Month. As we celebrate matters of the heart, let's delve into the significance of cardiovascular exercise in the realm of physical therapy. Integrating heart-healthy activities into your routine can bring benefits, not only for cardiovascular health but for overall well-being.
The Heart-Physical Therapy Connection:
Some ways that physical therapy can help minimize heart disease is by strengthening and providing stretches to help patients regain their strength and coordination for physical activity. According to the WHO, “ Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several cancers. It also helps prevent hypertension, maintain healthy body weight and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being.” (WHO, 2022)
Regular exercise and physical activity can help with your heart just as much as how it can strengthen other muscles as well.
Tailoring Cardiovascular Exercises to Individual Needs:
In the realm of Physical Therapy, not everyone has the same exercises and treatments. Physical therapy is designed to tailor to everyone's own unique individual needs. But, recognizing the unique needs and conditions of each individual is paramount for achieving optimal results.
Physical therapy and Cardiovascular exercises:
Physical therapy is a specialized discipline dedicated to the rehabilitation and improvement of physical function. When coupled with cardiovascular exercises, it provides a comprehensive approach to healing and overall well-being. Some Cardiovascular exercises that they may recommend are:
- Stretching
- Cycling
- Upper Body Resistance Band Training
- Walking
- General Balance Exercises
- Water Aerobics
It's important to know that the selection of cardiovascular exercises is contingent upon factors such as age appropriateness and individual needs. Tailoring the regimen to specific circumstances ensures a personalized and effective approach to rehabilitation and fitness.
Conclusion:
This Heart Health Awareness Month, let's elevate our understanding of cardiovascular exercise within the context of physical therapy. By embracing heart-healthy practices, we not only strengthen our cardiovascular systems but also enhance the effectiveness of physical therapy, fostering a holistic approach to well-being. Here's to a heart-healthy and physically thriving February!
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References:
- Cardiovascular exercise and physical therapy. ChoosePT1st.com. (n.d.). https://www.choosept1st.com/blog/cardiovascular-exercise-and-physical-therapy
- Carda Health. (n.d.). 8 best cardiac rehabilitation exercises. https://www.cardahealth.com/post/cardiac-rehab-exercises
- ProFysio Physical Therapy. (2021, April 2). How does physical therapy help cardiovascular disease?. ProFysio Physical Therapy LLC. https://www.profysionj.com/blog/2021/march/how-does-physical-therapy-help-cardiovascular-di/
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Physical activity. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity