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Symptoms of heart disease
The symptoms of coronary heart disease include angina, breathlessness, sweating, light headedness and nausea. In severe cases it can lead to a heart attack.
Above: Gentle cardiovascular exercise supervised by specialist MSK PhysiotherapistCauses of heart disease
Coronary heart disease is caused by narrowing and hardening of the arteries due to a process called atherosclerosis. Risk factors that increase atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. It is important that all risk factors are monitored by a multi-disciplinary team and minimised as far as possible.
Diagnosis of heart disease
Your doctor will diagnose coronary heart disease using a number of medical tests and investigations. It will be necessary to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and a take a detailed account of your smoking and exercise habits. To confirm a suspected diagnosis, an electrocardiogram (ECG) will record abnormal rhythm and activity in the chambers of your heart. Other scans that produce images of your heart include X-rays, echocardiograms (echo), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment of heart disease
The treatment of coronary heart disease involves lifestyle changes. It is important that the individual follows the advice of a doctor to stop smoking, have a healthy diet and regular exercise. There is medication available to reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart attack as a result of the heart disease. If the heart disease is severe it may be necessary to intervene surgically with an angioplasty, a stent, bypass grafts or a heart transplant.
Physiotherapy for heart disease
Exercise plays a key role in reducing the progression of coronary heart disease and reducing the risk of angina and heart attacks. Following a detailed physiotherapy assessment and discussion of the aims of therapy, a treatment plan will be formulated that may include:
- Monitoring of your symptoms in response to exercise
- Cardiovascular fitness training
- Dynamic balance and core stability exercises
- Muscle strengthening
- Range of movement stretches
- Mobility practice
- Hydrotherapy
- Diet and lifestyle advice
- Provision of mobility aids and equipment
Individuals with coronary heart disease substantially benefit from regular physiotherapy sessions. The benefits of physiotherapy to the individual with coronary heart disease:
- Learn how to warm up and cool down effectively
- Learn appropriate progression of exercises
- Home exercise program
- Increased confidence of how to exercise within your limits
- Increased cardiovascular fitness
- Increased muscle strength
- Increased flexibility and endurance
- Weight loss
- Reduced risk of angina and heart attack
Why Physio.co.uk for heart disease
At Physio.co.uk we have a clear understanding of the causes, risks and implications of coronary heart disease. Our specialist physiotherapists can show you how to exercise safely to improve your cardiovascular fitness and overall quality of life.
- Dedicated, motivated physiotherapists
- Treatment at any stage of coronary heart disease
- No waiting lists
- Treatment at home, in clinic or in the gym
- Flexible appointment times
- Access to gym facilities
- Access to hydrotherapy
