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Writer's picturePhysical Therapy International Service
Jul 31, 20244 min read

Heart Health

Authors: Aiyannah Wilson, Alena Combes- Baldwin, Jenna Little and Rachel Luzer


This month we discuss a topic that is near and dear to our hearts as health providers and physical therapists who use exercise as medicine. The heart is a vital organ that feeds our entire body and provides us with the necessary nutrients for survival. With our heart, our muscles, organs, and brain are all supported and allow us to work to maintain a homeostatic system. Cardiovascular health is a topic that is highly correlated to a long life and quality of life which could be measured in countless ways including blood pressure readings, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. 

 

The heart is made up of four chambers; right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle. Blood can either come into the heart through the superior vena cava or inferior vena cava. In between the right atrium and right ventricle, there is a valve called the tricuspid valve. The tricuspid valve has three leaflets: anterior, posterior, and septal. The purpose of the tricuspid valve is to prevent backflow of blood that has already passed the right atrium. Once blood leaves the right ventricle, it goes through and a contraction is present, it goes into the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery then to the lungs to exchange for oxygen and release carbon dioxide from our body. Afterwards, the oxygenated blood will go into the left atrium and then go to the bicuspid valve. This valve separates the left atrium and left ventricle. Once blood passes through the left ventricle, the blood is pumped into the aorta to supply blood to the whole body. Unlike the rest of the body, arteries of the heart carry blood away from the heart while veins carry blood to the heart. 

           

Heart disease can cause blockage within the arteries in which there is a buildup of plaque (fatty material) reducing the amount of blood flow and increasing the resistance to blood causing high blood pressure. Some risk factors for heart disease are age, family history, race and ethnicity, and even gender. Research shows that women over 55 years old and men over 45 years old are at a higher risk for heart disease than their younger counterparts. Although many of these factors seem non-preventable, factors such as smoking, diet, physical activity, weight/BMI, and alcohol or substance consumption are all preventable and can lower the prevalence of heart disease within our communities. By regularly exercising, having a healthy diet, managing stress levels, and quitting smoking, we can live a longer and more fulfilling life without the added risks for having a heart attack or stroke. 

 

Some types of cardiac dysfunctions include Arrhythmia, an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly. Another common form is Valve Disease where tightening or leaking in the heart’s valves can make it harder for the heart to pump blood. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a problem with the heart’s blood vessels, such as blockages. Lastly, Heart Failure is when the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs which can lead to fluid buildup and shortness of breath.

 

 

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which the pressure in the blood levels is higher than it should be. This is when it sits at a value of 140/90 mmHg or higher. It is common in mid and low-income countries, with Africa having the highest prevalence. Hypertension could be caused by several things including eating salty foods or high-saturated fat foods, using or smoking tobacco, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, or missing/sharing medications. Some risk factors of hypertension are unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, consuming alcohol or tobacco, or obesity. There are non-modifiable factors, or things that cannot be changed, such as genetics, being an age over 65, and co-existing diseases. Treatments include lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, losing weight, physical activity, and quitting tobacco.



Medical providers such as cardiologists, pulmonologists, nurses and other specialists have large roles in diagnosis and treatment to those with heart diseases, physical therapists can also play a vital role in the rehabilitation and health maintenance of these individuals. As entry level physical therapists, we can monitor blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation before, during, and after exercise as these values give information on current physiologic status and use RPE (rate of perceived exertion scale) during exercise to measure an individual’s exercise intensity. There is a subfield called Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy who work specially to provide long-term health maintenance for those with heart and lung diseases such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), angina, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), emphysema, and others. Parts of rehabilitation can include breathing retraining, education on disease and maintenance, relaxation therapy, and exercise programs. 

 

Heart and lung health are vital to maintain throughout our lifetime to live a healthier and fulfilling life. Many risk factors for heart disease are preventable and there are resources, such as ours at PTIS, who can help. It often takes time for these conditions to develop and there are warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, unexplained pain, etc. It is never too late to get started on a health journey and consult with a health provider regularly for health maintenance and prevention.

 

 

 

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