Cardiovascular and pulmonary (also known as cardiopulmonary) physical therapy is designed to help individuals improve their breathing and aerobic capacity by teaching patients more effective breathing techniques and exercising them under monitored conditions. By doing this, your body will be more efficient at using oxygen which will lead to less shortness of breath and improve your overall quality of life. When you schedule an appointment for Madison Ave physical therapy, our physical therapist will create a treatment plan based on your cardiopulmonary condition to help you improve and stay healthy. Each treatment is different for each condition and patient, and it is essential to follow what you are recommended to do so it will help you create progress within your new breathing techniques. 

What cardiopulmonary conditions H&D Physical Therapy treats? 

  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Emphysema
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Alpa-1 antitrypsin fibrosis 
  • Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
  • Pulmonary fibrosis (PF)
  • Interstitial lung diseases
  • Non-tuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM)
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Scleroderma and other connective tissue disorders
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Heart failure 

Treating Cardiopulmonary Conditions

Madison Ave physical therapy

Each patient and their condition are different, which is why Madison Ave physical therapy is here to help. Here at H&D Physical Therapy, we will create the best treatment plan for you to help you improve some treatments are:

  • Graded cardiovascular exercise with monitoring of cardiac and pulmonary function
  • Graded resistance exercises are appropriate to enhance muscle strength
  • Breathing exercises to improve how you breathe
  • Airway clearance techniques
  • Soft tissue and joining mobilization to improve the efficiency of ribcage mobility

Here at H&D Physical Therapy, we also want the patient to be educated on their condition. In order to educate the patient, we will discuss the following:

  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Diagnosis
  • Expected progress
  • Functional limitations
  • Compensatory strategies
  • Balancing rest and exercise
  • Use of supplemental oxygen and when its appropriate to use
  • Referrals, if needed to medical specialists

Improve Cardiopulmonary Health On Your Own

We will help patients work on their chest and postural drainage techniques to help control symptoms of their condition, make daily activities more accessible, and help their breathing. There are some exercises you can do at home that will help you if you suffer from any cardiopulmonary condition, such as:

  • Walking outside or on a treadmill
  • Stationary cycling
  • Swimming
  • Rowing
  • Water aerobics
  • Remember to stretch before any of these exercises and to cool down after the activities as well 

Do not begin these exercises until your doctor has told you to begin. You may need to avoid certain exercises or might have other restrictions based on your health. Once notified that you can begin exercises, it is proven that regular exercise has many benefits for patients who suffer

 from cardiopulmonary conditions. It is essential to listen to your physical therapist and not over-exert yourself to prevent injury.  

Regular exercise will help with:

  • Reduce heart disease risk factors and the chance of having future heart problems
  • Strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system
  • Improve your circulation and allow your body to use oxygen better
  • Help increase your energy levels so you can do more activities without getting tired or short of breath
  • Improve your strength and muscle tone
  • Improve your balance and joint flexibility

Madison Ave Physical Therapy

At H&D Physical Therapy, we want you to improve your quality of life by teaching you techniques for you to continuously practice to make your breathing better and so much more. We will help develop the best exercise program and be able to assist you with lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, quitting smoking, weight loss, and stress management. The benefits of exercising are:

  • Decrease LDL cholesterol
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduce stress
  • Control body weight
  • Improve your quality of sleep
  • Reduce your risk of depression
  • Improve your memory
  • Reduce your risk of dementia
  • Makes you feel good about yourself