February is American Hearth Month, and the goal of the month-long campaign is to increase awareness on the importance of good heart health and the dangers of heart disease. Through efforts like these, there has been some significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, and millions of Americans now live healthier and longer lives as a result. But in spite of these improvements, there is still much work to be done, and our Glenn Dale physical therapists want to help by ensuring that you’re treating your heart well.

Still the No. 1 cause of death

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Each year, about 715,000 people experience a heart attack, while another 600,000 die from heart disease. This accounts for about one out of every four deaths recorded. These numbers may seem staggering, but they show just how big of a danger heart disease is.

Another number—and a more reassuring one for every individual, regardless of their family history—is that 80% of heart attacks and strokes are preventable. In order to take charge of your own heart health, it’s necessary to become more conscious of your everyday decisions and make some necessary lifestyle changes.

There are many ways to improve your heart health and reduce your chances of developing heart issues, but at the top of that list is getting sufficient exercise and physical activity. Exercise helps the heart become more efficient and better able to pump blood throughout the body, and doing it regularly is essential to maintaining a healthy heart. At CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services, it’s one of our specialties to find ways to incorporate physical activity into your lifestyle in the safest manner possible.

The role that our Glenn Dale physical therapists play in heart health

Regardless of whether or not someone is at risk for heart disease, exercise is a central component of every physical therapy program that we prescribe. In addition to the treatments we provide within our clinic, we also recommend that each of our patients engage in some form of physical activity to improve their overall health in their free timer. This is fundamental to physical therapy, and we always work with patients to determine the best possible exercises for them based on their health and abilities.

At the same time, we understand that patients with bad cardiovascular health and those with a history of heart disease may be nervous to engage in any physical activity. People with heart disease often have limitations like physical weakness or balance problems, or struggle with basic physical tasks like walking up stairs. Others have difficulty performing the exercises that may be prescribed to them, or simply don’t understand what they should and should not be doing.

With this in mind, we can create “heart-healthy” exercise programs that are designed specifically for patients with heart problems. Regardless of your concerns, we will work with you every step of the way to ensure that the exercises you’re completing are safe and best for you. We will also monitor your vital signs and look for any abnormal cardiovascular symptoms as we figure out what exercises you’re capable of and enjoy the most. The goal of physical therapy here is to help build back your endurance, which will help you function more independently and perform daily activities more easily.

Other lifestyle changes that we recommend to improve heart health include maintaining a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, monitoring your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides regularly, and quitting smoking if you’re a smoker. If you experience stress on a regular basis, it’s also important to find ways to reduce your stress levels. There are many ways to alleviate stress and not all practices work for everyone, but meditation, yoga and getting regular physical activity are all considered effective.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to control and improve your heart health, our Glenn Dale physical therapists are here to help. Contact CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services at 301-853-0093 to schedule an appointment at any of our four clinics in Laurel, Hyattsville, Glenn Dale/Bowie or Parkville/Baltimore, MD today, or click here for more information on American Heart Month.