Damage caused by heart
failure and its targeted physical therapy
![]() |
Picture source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/342414377896181547/ |
Physical
therapy is performed to improve the overall health of the patient. Major systems
compromised due to long standing chronic heart failure are:
The
circulatory system
Heart is the
main organ that supplies blood to other tissues and organs. A long standing
chronic heart failure condition can affect the normal supply of blood to these
tissues. The care provided at home is as integral as given in the hospital
premises. It is therefore essential to know about the tips
when caring for a heart failure patient.
The Pulmonary system
The lungs
and heart work in harmony to provide the body with oxygenated blood. Heart failure
leads to pulmonary oedema due to the accumulation of blood in the air sacs.
This can eventually lead to pulmonary failure too.
The Renal system
(Kidneys)
Bean shaped
kidneys play a role in "homeostasis" (maintenance of constant body environment).
The heart of a patient with cardiovascular
disease, does not have substantial ability to pump blood to the organs.
Consequently. a high blood pressure is generated in the renal vein. This high blood
pressure causes congestion in the kidneys.
So how can a heart failure patient avoid worsening this damage?
The solution
to this question is: Cardiac physical therapy.
THE CARDIAC REHABILITATION TEAM
A complex
medical intervention involves joint effort from various experts. The cardiac
rehabilitation team includes:





Team may be
composed of additional health professionals too.
GOALS OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION TEAM
The
all-inclusive aim of the team is to help the patient in returning to his
previous physical stability. Areas of work include:
Ø Reducing the risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Ø Enhancing the flexibility and strength
of the heart muscles
Ø Recommending regular mental therapy
sessions
Ø Tailoring a nutrition guide
Ø Training the patient to be independent
1. Reducing the risk factors for cardiovascular disease
The major
risk factors for cardiovascular disease are well known. But most people choose
to stay ignorant and end up experiencing an unfortunate event of cardiac
failure.
An open
heart surgery can be indicated in a compound heart failure. Measures
you should take after an open heart surgery, involve keeping a track of the risk factors associated with the disease.
One aim of
the Rehabilitation team is to advise patients in cutting down the amount of
high sugar, high fat and high salt diets. All of these are paramount risk factors
causing heart failure.
Smoking
after an incident of heart failure is highly discouraged because tobacco can
deteriorate the condition further more, by causing fat deposition in vessels.
2. Enhancing the flexibility and strength of heart muscles
A set of
exercises is designed to improve heart rate and strengthen cardiac muscles.
Aerobic exercises target heart rate while lifting weight and exercising with
bands, reinforce heart muscles.
Patients of cardiovascular disease might face
difficulty at first, but a dedicated struggle can have beneficial outcomes. Rating
of perceived exertion or RPE of the patient is monitored constantly, with the
aim of discovering the maximum capacity of his body to continue physical
activity.
![]() |
Picture source: https://d2ebzu6go672f3.cloudfront.net/media/content/images/H0219_activity.png |
3. Recommending regular mental therapy sessions
Together
with training the patient to strengthen himself physically, a psychiatrist is
appointed to keep a check of any mental instability. Mental health is still a
taboo and people suffering from depression often find it difficult to seek a
professional's health.
But the
Cardiac rehabilitation team makes sure that the mental trauma encountered by the
patient or his family members, is effectively dealt with.
4. Tailoring a nutrition guide
Healthy
diet! Healthy diet! Healthy diet!. We can not stress more on the importance of
a healthy diet, especially for an individual with a chronic heart failure.
A good
amount of fruits and vegetables are a gateway to fitness. Intake of red meat
must be reduced and fish must be consumed for proteins instead.
Foods playing
a role of risk factors for cardiovascular
disease must be kept to a minimum or other alternatives must be adopted in
place of them.
5. Training the patient to be independent
The foremost
aim of the cardiac rehabilitation is to make the patient understand his heart.
Most deaths occur due to failure of recognizing symptoms. Patients arriving in
the Rehab are taught how to keep a check on their heart rate and pulse.
Along with
this, they are told about the Rating of perceived exertion. This information
helps them in recognizing the amount of exercises they can withstand.