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Your Heart Health and Physiotherapy

by | Upper Body

Health starts with the heart and cared for by physiotherapy

Everyone knows that February is the month of love, but did you know it’s also heart health awareness month?

Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, with poor lifestyle choices, genetics, and underlying health conditions being some of the contributing factors. In order to prevent the onset of heart disease and maintain heart health, it is important to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management techniques.

February is heart month to promote cardiac health

In this context, physiotherapy can play an important role in promoting heart health. In this article, we explore the effects of physiotherapy on heart health and why it is an essential component of a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Take care of your heartHow does Physiotherapy benefit your heart’s health?

  1. Improves Cardiovascular Fitness: Regular exercise is one of the most important factors in maintaining heart health. Physiotherapy can help improve cardiovascular fitness by providing a structured exercise program tailored to your individual needs and fitness level. This can include exercises to improve cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. (3,5)
  2. Reduces Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease. Physiotherapy can help reduce blood pressure by incorporating exercises that improve circulation and blood flow. This can help reduce the workload on the heart and lower blood pressure over time. (3,4)
  3. Helps with Weight Management: Obesity is another risk factor for heart disease. Physiotherapy can help with weight management by providing guidance on exercise and nutrition. This can help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. (1,2,5)
  4. Relieves Stress: Stress can have a negative impact on heart health. Physiotherapy can help relieve stress by incorporating relaxation techniques into exercise routines. This can help reduce stress levels, which in turn can reduce the risk of heart disease. (3)
  5. Improves Posture: Poor posture can contribute to heart disease by putting stress on the heart and other internal organs. Physiotherapy can help improve posture by incorporating exercises that strengthen the muscles that support good posture. This can reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing the stress on the heart and internal organs. (6)
Benefits of cardiac rehabilitation

In conclusion, physiotherapy plays a crucial role in maintaining heart health. By improving cardiovascular fitness, reducing blood pressure, helping with weight management, relieving stress, and improving posture, physiotherapy can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

If you are looking to improve your heart health, consider incorporating physiotherapy into your routine. A physiotherapist can work with you to develop a personalised exercise programme that will help you achieve your heart health goals. At Lamberti Physiotherapy we know how important it is to take care of your heart and we are committed to assist patients in maintaining a healthy, happy heart. You’ll love us for it!

References:

  1. Ahmed, A., Mikail, M., & Balakrishnan, B. (2019). The effects of exercise on body weight, body mass index and obesity: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 13(5), OC01-OC06.
  2. Barr, E. L., Wright, C. C., Hasson, R. E., Tran, Z. V., & Friedenreich, C. M. (2016). The effects of exercise on weight loss and body composition: a systematic review of controlled trials. Journal of Obesity, 2016, 9598465. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9598465.
  3. Koh, S. J., Cho, Y. K., Cho, Y. R., & Kim, J. H. (2013). Effects of a supervised exercise program on the physical fitness and quality of life in patients with heart disease. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 33(4), 235-240.
  4. Kondamudi N, Haykowsky M, Forman DE, Berry JD, Pandey A. Exercise Training for Prevention and Treatment of Heart Failure. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2017 Jun-Jul;60(1):115-120. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2017.07.001. Epub 2017 Jul 3. PMID: 28684221.
  5. Laursen, P. B., & Sperlich, B. (2010). High-Intensity Interval Training in Patients with Lifestyle-Induced Cardiometabolic Disease: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine, 40(2), 65-99.
  6. Lu, Y., & Naylor, J. (2016). The effects of exercise on posture: A systematic review. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(3), 675-681.