Category: CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSIOTHERAPY

WHAT IS CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSIOTHERAY?

Cardiovascular Physiotherapy is also known as cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiovascular Physical therapy is a branch of rehabilitation that deals with cardiac or heart-related problems or patients who have undergone heart surgery or Coronary Artery Bypass Graft(CABG).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-artery-bypass-grafting#:~:text=Coronary%20artery%20bypass%20grafting%20(CABG,arteries%2C%20are%20narrowed%20or%20blocked.

Cardiovascular Physiotherapy is also known as cardiac rehabilitation. Through cardiac rehabilitation services, the main focus of a physiotherapist should be to have the patient’s cardiovascular health, physical function, and overall better health through lifestyle modification, exercises, and home advice.

Key aspects of cardiovascular rehabilitation

1. EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION: Physiotherapists should design individualized programs according to the specific patient’s needs, medical history, current fitness level, age, and occupation. These tailored exercise prescriptions include aerobic exercises, strength training, flexibility exercises, and balance training.
2. CARDIO VASCULAR CONDITIONING – Gradual progression of intensity of an exercise to increase fitness, strength, and tolerance to physical activity.
3. EDUCATION: Need to provide information and guidance to keep the heart healthy including diet, smoking cessation, stress management techniques, and medication adherence.
4. RISK FACTOR MODIFICATION: Helping patients manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles through lifestyle management.
5. MONITORING AND SUPPORT: regularly monitoring vitals such as BP, heart rate, respiratory rate, and symptoms. Also, check whether medications are taken regularly or not. They are providing ongoing support, motivation, and encouragement to achieve their physical activity goals.

Physical therapists work closely with cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac nurses, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to develop personalized and comprehensive rehabilitation plans for all patients. These plans are typically tailored to the patient’s needs, medical history, current health status, and goals for recovery and long-term cardiovascular health.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs are usually outpatient settings, sometimes it may offer home community-based programs. The duration of cardiac rehabilitation may vary depending on the individual’s needs.

Overall, a cardiovascular recovery program plays a crucial role in helping individuals with heart disease regain their strength, confidence and independence following a cardiac event or procedure.