More Than Just Muscles: How Physical Therapy Supports Heart Health

We often think of physical therapy as something we only need after an injury or a surgery. While physical therapists are certainly experts in such situations, their role in your health goes much deeper. In fact, physical therapy for heart health is becoming an important part of preventing and managing chronic disease. One of the most important muscles a physical therapist can help you strengthen is your heart.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally. According to recent data from the American Heart Association, someone in the United States dies of heart disease every 34 seconds.

The good news? A lot of cardiovascular disease is preventable through lifestyle changes, and research continues to show that exercise plays a major role in heart disease prevention, making regular movement one of the most powerful medicines out there.

The Challenge of Getting Started

Current health guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. For many, that goal feels out of reach.

Maybe you want to start walking or cycling, but an old nagging pain flares up every time you try. Or maybe the fear of "doing too much" after a health scare or pain episode keeps you on the couch.

This is where physical therapy becomes your heart's best friend!

How Physical Therapy Supports Your Heart

Physical therapists are movement specialists. They don't just look at painful joints. They look at how your whole body moves and how your heart and lungs respond to that movement.

Here is how you can go from staying still to getting active:

• Before Activity: Before you start a new exercise routine, a physical therapist can assess your balance, strength, and cardiovascular response. This makes sure you start at a level that is challenging enough to strengthen your heart but safe enough to avoid burnout or injury.

• Overcoming Pain: Many people stop exercising because of pain. A physical therapist identifies and addresses the root cause of that pain so you can safely and confidently keep your heart rate up.

• Recovery and Beyond: If you have experienced a major health event like a heart attack or are undergoing aggressive treatment like for cancer, exercise is vital but can be intimidating. Research highlights that supervised exercise programs led by physical therapists significantly reduce fatigue and improve quality of life for people recovering from complex medical conditions.

• Managing Chronic Conditions: Physical therapy for chronic disease is increasingly used to help manage conditions that affect the heart, such as Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, by creating sustainable, low-impact movement plans.

Movement is Medicine

You don't need to be a marathon runner to improve your heart health. Brisk walking, swimming, or even gardening can make a massive difference. But the goal isn't just exercise - it's being able to keep up with your kids or grandkids, travel, enjoy hobbies, and do the things that make life meaningful. The key is consistency and safety.

If pain or uncertainty has been holding you back from getting active, Indepth Physical Therapy can help you move with confidence again. Your physical therapist can help give your heart the support it needs to keep you moving for years to come.

Resources

1. American Heart Association. Heart and Stroke Statistics. https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/heart-and-stroke-association-statistics

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What You Can Do to Meet Physical Activity Recommendations. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/index.html

3. Scandinavian Journal of Exercise and Sports. Exercise as Medicine - Evidence for Providing Exercise as Therapy in 26 Different Chronic Diseases. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sms.12581

4. American Physical Therapy Association. What is Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy? https://www.choosept.com/why-physical-therapy/specialty-areas-physical-therapy/cardiovascular-pulmonary-physical-therapy

5. American Physical Therapy Association. Physical Therapy Guide to Heart Disease and Heart Failure. https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-heart-disease-heart-failure