After a heart attack or pulmonary embolism, an injury, or surgery, your next step is most likely physical therapy. Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy are two specific types of physical therapy that focus on the heart and lungs, respectively. While both therapies overlap, they also have unique aspects that make them different.
Cardiovascular PT
Cardiovascular physical therapy aims to help you return to your previous level of activity or even exceed it. This may include improving your heart function, reducing your risk of another heart attack or stroke, and helping you to manage any conditions you have. Cardiovascular physical therapy may also help improve your quality of life.
Your cardiac therapist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs. This plan may include exercises, education on heart-healthy living, and techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.
Pulmonary PT
Pulmonary physical therapy aims to help you breathe easier and improve your quality of life. This may include improving your lung function, reducing inflammation, and helping you to manage any conditions you have. Pulmonary physical therapy typically combines education on how to take care of yourself with breathing exercises and physical conditioning.
To create your individualized plan, you may work with a respiratory therapist who will teach you about breathing techniques and lung function. They’ll also help improve your strength and endurance through exercise sessions that improve aerobic capacity or build muscle mass in the chest area.
Similarities
Both cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy can help you return to your previous activity level or even exceed it. If you’re interested in learning more about either type of physical therapy, talk to your doctor. They may refer you to a cardiovascular or pulmonary physical therapist who can create a tailored treatment plan for you.
Both cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy can help improve your quality of life by reducing inflammation, improving lung function, and assisting you in returning to your previous level of activity. If you’re interested in learning more about either type of physical therapy, talk to your doctor. They may refer you to a cardiovascular or pulmonary physical therapist, who can create a treatment plan tailored specifically for you.
Differences
Cardiovascular PT is more focused on heart function whereas pulmonary PT is concerned with breathing and lung problems. Cardiac therapists focus on strengthening the heart muscle as well as alleviating any stress and strain on the heart. These therapists will also teach you how to take care of your heart when you’re not in physical therapy sessions. This is done through a combination of exercises, techniques, and education on heart-healthy living. In cardiovascular physical therapy, you can expect to be active in your treatment plan. For example, you may walk on a treadmill or use an exercise bike during sessions to improve blood flow and circulation throughout your body.
Pulmonary PT focuses on breathing and lung problems rather than heart function. Pulmonary therapists focus on strengthening the lungs as well as alleviating any inflammation and strain to them. These therapists will also teach you how to take care of your lungs when you’re not in physical therapy sessions.
Both cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy has unique aspects that make them different, but they also have similarities. The goal of both therapies is to help you return to your previous level of activity or improve it. They accomplish this goal by reducing inflammation, improving lung function, and enhancing heart health, all while teaching you how to care for yourself when not under a physician’s supervision. To learn more about either type of physical therapy, talk to your doctor, who may refer you to a cardiovascular or pulmonary PT specialist that can create a treatment plan particularly for you.
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