The American Heart Association recently came out with a statement recommending physicians to prescribe more physical therapy treatments to patients at risk for a heart attack or stroke.
According to AHA representatives, research has repeatedly shown the value of physical therapy Edina for patients with musculoskeletal conditions and can be a safe and effective alternative to drugs. “It only makes sense to see a physical therapist before trying drugs or surgery,” the statement read.
Published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, the statement suggests patients with heart disease or risk of heart disease should not be given a COX-2 inhibitor right away. (A COX-2 inhibitor is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that targets COX-2, an enzyme that causes inflammation and pain.) This ruling is based on evidence that some drugs in this category may actually increase the risks of heart attack and stroke.
A better choice for pain treatment, according to the AHA, is physical therapy and exercise, weight loss and heat or cold therapy. If pain or other symptoms cannot be alleviated in this way, drugs may be a necessary step. It is better to be conservative by using physical therapy and other pain relieving methods first to avoid potential risk to the heart that may be associated with certain medications.
Another reason patients with heart disease may benefit from physical therapy is that staying active is key to a healthy heart. Physical therapy is a good way to maintain or improve mobility. With a hands-on exam, diagnosis and treatment, physical therapists can treat many kinds of pain and inflammation in patients of all ages, give fitness advice and assistance and promote overall wellness.