Heart Failure, Exercises, & Physical Therapy
Heart failure – two scary words that most of us hope to never hear in our lifetime. Well, what is heart failure? This is when your heart is no longer able to efficiently pump blood to your body. Heart failure is a chronic, progressive disease that affects more than 5.7 million adults, as stated by the APTA.
Wow, that is certainly a lot of people.
What Happens after a Heart Failure Diagnosis?
So, you’ve just been recently diagnosed with heart failure, what does this mean now? Fortunately, heart failure can be managed with appropriate medical treatments and lifestyle changes. A few lifestyle changes recommended by the APTA in recent guidelines include: eat a healthy diet, stop smoking, get good sleep, manage stress, and get the right amount of physical exercise. All of these factors can play a role in reducing the amount of effort it takes the heart to supply your body with blood (nutrients).
But wait, doesn’t physical activity make the heart work harder? In short, yes. However, the heart is like any other muscle in the body. The heart must be exercised, in the right dosages, to build cardiovascular endurance.This will help the heart work more efficiently with less effort while at rest. A physical therapist or cardiac rehabilitation professional can help implement an exercise plan that fits your individual needs.
Heart Failure & Exercise
While exercise can be hard and scary, for those with new or existing heart failure, a physical therapist can help make sure you are safe and comfortable with exercise when beginning your journey and instruct you how to safely continue your journey at home. I heard a quote from a healthcare professional recently and she said “It is okay for you to be scared, because I am not scared” and that is exactly how rehab clinicians feel when we see you. Regular exercise reduces hospital visits, prevents a variety of chronic illnesses, and improves the quality of life for those with heart failure. The heart loves exercise, and physical therapists are the movement experts.
Heart Failure, a Personal Experience
I recently had a personal experience with a family member being diagnosed with heart failure and I can remember how scared he felt in those moments, especially not having much medical knowledge. I can also remember being confused when cardiac rehab, or sending out a referral for physical therapy, was not an option discussed by his care team. With some of these personal frustrations, I wanted to provide some education on what this condition is, how it can be managed, and who can help you with tailoring an exercise program just for you.
If you find yourself in this same situation, just know that it is okay to advocate for yourself and ask your medical doctor for a referral to a cardiac rehab program or a physical therapy clinic to help jumpstart lifestyle changes. We here at ProActive Rehabilitation and Wellness would love you to have you in our clinic. If you are interested in booking an appointment just give us a call at 706-814-6887 or book an appointment online!
