Heart Health: How Physical Therapy Can Help

February is Heart Health Awareness Month, created to bring awareness to heart diseases that affect many people daily. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death for American women. One in three are diagnosed with heart disease every year, and more women die from it than from all forms of cancer combined. This month, we will focus on the importance of heart health and how to be more aware of heart disease as it is our goal to keep our community happy and healthy!

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular (heart) disease, refers to any condition that adversely affects the heart and blood vessels. The most common cause of heart disease is the buildup of plaque in the arteries. According to WebMD’s article about clogged arteries, plaque is formed from substances like “calcium, fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, and fibrin, a material involved in blood clotting.” Imagine how slowly water drains when the plumbing system is clogged. The same thing happens with our blood. It struggles to get through clogged arteries resulting in high blood pressure as the heart works harder to pump the blood and also resulting in shortness of breath because the blood is responsible for carrying oxygen.

Cardiovascular disease can lead to:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Arrhythmia (an abnormal heart rhythm)

It can also affect the quality of your life. “I’m really struggling to unload groceries,” one of our patients reported. “Each time I climb the three steps to my front door, I have to sit down to rest and catch my breath.” Daily activities like unloading groceries, mowing the lawn, sweeping the floor, or even playing with the grandchildren become more difficult for patients suffering from cardiovascular disease. At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center in Corpus Christi, we want to help you return to Loving Your Life by giving you tools to help you Love Your Heart.

Prevention

As Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth of pound of cure.” Part of Heart Health Awareness Month is devoted to sharing tips for preventing cardiovascular disease, and the first step is diet.

We are what we eat, so having a heart-healthy diet is key. The Mayo Clinic has an excellent article called “Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease.” In summary, it recommends the following: controlling portion size, eating more fruits and vegetables, selecting whole grains, reducing your intake of unhealthy fats and sodium, and choosing low-fat protein sources. Eating a heart-healthy diet can go a long way toward preventing the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Exercise is another important tool in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. “The heart is a muscle,” our physical therapist, Gene, says. “And like the muscles of your arms, legs, and core, it needs to exercise to stay strong.” A strong heart does not have to work as hard to pump blood and is not as stressed when it’s doing its job, a job that is literally 24/7.

This is where FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center in Corpus Christi can really help in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. “We have many fitness centers in the area,” says Diana, our client care specialist and first point of contact for our patients and visitors, “but many people don’t want the expense of a monthly gym fee. At FYZICAL, we offer fitness consultations with a physical therapist who can teach people how to exercise safely and effectively in their own home.” Some people may also object to fitness centers because they have transportation issues or simply do not want to drive to another location for their workout. Others would prefer to exercise in the privacy of their own home. And there are many who are avoiding gyms because they don’t want to risk potential exposure to COVID-19. If this is you, then scheduling a fitness consultation with our therapist is a great option.

Here’s how a consultation with a physical therapist differs from a session with a fitness trainer. In addition to learning how to exercise safely and to providing a specific exercise plan, our therapist measures vital signs and provides a comprehensive evaluation that takes into account your musculoskeletal strength and movement, your balance and gait, your posture, flexibility, and fall risk. Our physical therapist will also talk to you to get information about your fitness goals, your fitness history, and what’s available in your home. “Common household objects like a countertop, a chair, or a towel can be used as fitness tools,” therapist Gene Lopez says. “And if clients have weight or cardio equipment, we can make sure they are using it correctly to prevent injury.”

Rehabilitation

Physical therapy also plays an important role in rehabilitation after a person suffers a heart attack. The American Heart Association identifies the following as part of a heart rehabilitation team: primary care doctor, cardiologist, dietician, physical therapist, social worker, counselor, pharmacist, and loved ones. It’s a big team, designed to provide support in all aspects of your physical and mental wellbeing.

Physical therapy specifically focuses on getting your heart back in shape. During an initial evaluation, our physical therapist will determine your current heart strength by checking your blood pressure and oxygen levels before and after movement. He will also create a plan of care approved by your doctor and unique to your needs by taking into consideration your heart-health starting point and your heart-health goals. Each follow-up session is designed to help you progress at a pace that is comfortable for you.

Cardiac surgery can sometimes lead to post-operative issues such as neck and back pain related to postural changes or loss of flexibility. Using therapeutic massage, traction, and hot/cold packs, our therapist can improve mobility and alleviate post-surgical pain. Other heart-related issues that can benefit from physical therapy are post-COVID weakness, orthostatic hypotension, and atrial fibrillation/heart rhythm disorders and dizziness.

February is also when the American Physical Therapy Association, the leader in research for PT, hosts its annual conference. Our physical therapist attends every year in order to improve his knowledge and learn about the latest innovations. This year, he has registered for the following sessions related to therapy for cardiovascular disease:

• Beyond the Guidelines: Physical Therapist Management of Patients with Advanced Heart Failure and Lung Disease
• Exercise Training to Counteract Age-Associated Deterioration in Cardiac Function
• Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Physical Therapists on the Front Line
• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research: A Year in Review 2020

Strengthen and heal your heart

FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Center in Corpus Christi is a local, community clinic that seeks to enrich people’s overall wellness, not just treat their specific complaint or ailment. When we address the heart, we aim to reach the whole of what heart-health means—not just the prevention of cardiovascular disease, not just rehabilitation—but the joy and love that comes from living a full, heart-healthy life. Our motto is Love Your Life, and to love your life, you must also Love Your Heart. Whether you are searching for a one-time fitness consultation or a multi-session, physician-approved plan of care, we would love to be part of your and your heart’s journey.

References:

“Cardiac Rehab for Heart Failure.” American Heart Association, May 31, 2017. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/treatment-options-for-heart-failure/cardiac-rehab-for-heart-failure

“Clogged Arteries (Arterial Plaque).” WebMD, n.d. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/clogged-arteries-arterial-plaque#1

“Combined Sections Meeting.” American Physical Therapy Association, n.d. Retrieved from https://www.apta.org/csm.

“Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease.” Mayo Clinic, Jan. 9, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healthy-diet/art-20047702

“U.S. commemorates 57th consecutive American Heart Month in February.” American Heart Association, Feb. 1, 2021. Retrieved on 8 Feb. 2021 from https://www.heart.org/en/around-the-aha/february-is-american-heart-month