Move Your Way to a Healthier Heart: A Physical Therapist's Guide
Your heart is your body's most important muscle. Like any muscle, it needs regular exercise to stay strong and healthy. This February, as we observe Heart Health Month, let's explore how physical activity can boost your heart health and how physical therapists can help.
Why Movement Matters
Every time you exercise, you're giving your heart a workout.
Regular physical activity helps lower blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight. The current guidelines for adults suggest at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week to significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide.
Getting Started Safely
While exercise is crucial for heart health, starting a new exercise routine requires careful planning, especially if you:
Have existing heart conditions
Haven't exercised in a while
Are recovering from heart surgery or cardiac events
Have other health conditions that affect your mobility
This is where physical therapists become incredibly helpful!
How Physical Therapists Support Your Heart Health
Physical therapists are movement experts who can:
Assess your current fitness level and any risk factors
Design a personalized exercise program that matches your abilities and goals
Teach proper exercise techniques to prevent injury
Monitor your progress and adjust your program as needed
Provide education about heart-healthy lifestyle choices
They work closely with your healthcare team to ensure your exercise program is safe and effective, especially if you're managing heart conditions or recovering from cardiac events.
Some PTs specialize further and become cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapists. They have had further training and experience in prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment for people who are at risk for, or diagnosed with, heart, lung, and other health conditions, such as:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Acute and chronic breathing disorders
Diabetes
Vascular (blood vessel) disease
Arterial (artery) disease
Cystic fibrosis
High blood pressure
Heart disease and heart failure
Simple Steps to Start
You don't need to run marathons to improve your heart health. Start with:
Short walks around your neighborhood
Gentle swimming or water exercises
Light resistance training
Stretching and flexibility exercises
Biking!!
Remember, any movement is better than no movement. Your physical therapist can help you find activities you enjoy and can stick to long-term.
Contact our physical therapy team today to begin your journey toward better heart health through safe, guided physical activity.
References:
Research:
Fairag M, Alzahrani S A, Alshehri N, et al. (November 21, 2024) Exercise as a Therapeutic Intervention for Chronic Disease Management: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus 16(11): e74165. doi:10.7759/cureus.74165
Piercy, K. L., & Troiano, R. P. (2018). Physical activity guidelines for Americans from the US Department of Health and Human Services. Circulation: Cardiovascular Qualityand Outcomes, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.1161/circoutcomes.118.005263
Skou, S. T., Pedersen, B. K., Abbott, J. H., Patterson, B., & Barton, C. (2018). Physical activity and exercise therapy benefit more than just symptoms and impairments in people with hip and knee osteoarthritis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy,48(6), 439–447. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2018.7877
Jeong, S.-W., Kim, S.-H., Kang, S.-H., Kim, H.-J., Yoon, C.-H., Youn, T.-J., & Chae, I.- H. (2019). Mortality reduction with physical activity in patients with and without cardiovascular disease. European Heart Journal, 40(43), 3547–3555. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehz564
