Loading...
Image not found!
  • 21 Mar 2021
  • |
  • By Admin

What Is The Role of Physiotherapy in Cardiopulmonary Conditions?


Overcome the physical and functional impairment, activity limitations, and participation

restrictions due to the impairments of structures and functions of the cardiovascular and pulmonary system.

Helpful in Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, coronary artery disease, heart failure.

Definition Of Cardiopulmonary Conditions

Cardiopulmonary conditions can be defined as a range of conditions that directly impact lungs and heart of a patient. Since both lungs and heart are closely interrelated, issues in one organ can spil over to the other. For example, if there are any issues with lungs, then the heart will need to work harder to extract the oxygen from the lungs, and take it to the blood.

Some of the most common cardiopulmonary diseases are:

Emphysema

Chronic bronchitis

Congestive heart failure

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Some symptoms associated with cardiopulmonary conditions are:

-Chest pain wich radiates to arms and jaws

-Shortness of breath

-Sudden sweating and wheezing

-Nausea and vomiting

-High blood pressure

Role of Physiotherapy In Cardiopulmonary Conditions

When it comes to treatment and rehabilitation of patients suffering from cardiopulmonary conditions, then physiotherapy has a very active role to play.

Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy is an area of expertise, wherein physical therapies are deployed to not only prevent issues related with heart and lungs, but also rehabilitate and restore the patient’s health.

With physiotherapy, patients of cardiopulmonary conditions can:

-Overcome physical and functional impairment arising due to heart and lungs issues

-Overcome limitations pertaining to normal day to day activities

-Overcome restrictions arising due to impairment of cardiovascular and pulmonary system’s structures and functions

-Manage and recover from cardiopulmonary conditions such as asthma, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and other such conditions

-Reduce breathlessness

Physiotherapy Treatment For Cardiopulmonary Conditions

There are several exercises recommended for patients of cardiopulmonary conditions. Some of them are:

Breathing facilitation & deep breathing exercises

Deep breathing and breathing facilitation exercises along with the correct positioning assists the patient to get relief from dyspnea and breathlessness by a great extent. Exchange of gases also becomes possible, due to breathing exercises.

Diaphragmatic breathing along with pursed lips breathing are two of the most common breathing exercises under physical therapy.

Coughing exercises

Along with breathing exercises, coughing is also an effective physical therapy for cardiopulmonary conditions. The patients are taught and encouraged to cough in order to clear secretions. As a result of systematic coughing, the collapse of small airways can be minimized. Conditions such as bronchospasm and fatigue can also be minimized due to coughing.

Some other physical therapies include: Percussions and Vibrations, Mobility assistance.

Based on the specific condition of the patient, and the recovery schedule, cardiopulmonary physiotherapist will recommend the set of exercises which are suitable and beneficial.

Such physical therapy and exercises help the patient to enhance functional capacity of lungs and heart, and enable them to carry on with their normal activities without any external help. Besides, mental well being of the patient also drastically improves.

Get in touch with our expert Physiotherapists at CureNow to get more details about physical therapy for cardiopulmonary conditions.