Cardio-respiratory Physiotherapy Treatment and Exercises

Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy

Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy is an area of physiotherapy that specializes in the prevention, rehabilitation, and compensation of clients with diseases and injuries in the heart and lungs. These conditions may manifest themselves as shortness of breath, persistent cough, increased work of breathing, or reduced ability to exercise.

Cardiorespiratory conditions include:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF)
• Respiratory Infections, i.e., Pneumonia
• Hypertension
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Angina
• Heart Attack
• Myocardial Infarction (MI) (cardiomyopathy)
• Heart or lung injury or surgery
• Abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias
• Aorta disease and Marfan syndrome
• Congenital heart disease
• Coronary artery disease (narrowing of the arteries)
• Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
• Heart failure
• Heart muscle disease
• Heart valve disease
• Peripheral Artery and Peripheral Vein Disease (PAD and PVD)
• Pericardial disease
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Stroke
• Vascular disease (blood vessel disease)

It is now widely recognized that appropriate exercise can be an effective disease prevention strategy and is integral to the management of those with a variety of cardiorespiratory conditions.

Treatment and Exercises

People who suffer an acute heart or lung injury, or require a heart or lung operation, are most often admitted directly to the hospital. People with a chronic cardiorespiratory condition, who suffer a flare-up or exacerbation, may also require hospital admission.

While you are in hospital, your doctor may request that an Active Rehab Physiotherapist provide treatment for you. Your Physiotherapist will undertake a comprehensive assessment of your cardiorespiratory system, endurance, and mobility and will then tailor a treatment program to your unique needs.

Depending on your condition, your physiotherapy treatment may include:

Deep Breathing Exercise: to encourage increased lung volumes

Hands-on Techniques and Breathing Facilitation Exercises: to expand your lung capacity

Percussions and Vibrations: to help you loosen secretions and make coughing easier

Coughing and Breathing Strategies: to help you cough and manage your shortness of breath

Breathing and Circulation Exercises: to prevent further respiratory and vascular complications such as chest infection and deep venous thrombosis (DVTs)

Mobility Assistance: to move safely in bed, sit up, stand, and walk

Mobility Aids: advice, prescription, and instruction on how to safely use a walking frame or other walking aids as required

Individually Tailored Exercises: to control your breathing pattern, build muscle strength and endurance, and improve your general health and wellbeing

Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy also plays a large role in the prevention of common complications. When people are admitted to the hospital or are recovering after an unrelated surgery (such as an orthopedic or abdominal surgery), your doctor may ask an Active Rehab cardiorespiratory physiotherapist to see them. The treatment provided may include:

Deep Breathing Exercises: to prevent lung infection and collapse

Bed, Chair, and Standing Exercises: to prevent deep vein thrombosis (clots)

Ongoing Fitness Program: Tailored exercises to help you maintain your mobility and fitness

Outpatient Physiotherapy Treatment

Following your discharge from the hospital, please visit one of our Active Rehabilitation clinics where a Physiotherapist will continue to support your rehabilitation.

Outpatient treatment can include:

Prevention or Resolution of minor lung infections

Thoracic Assessment and Mobilizations: to increase lung capacity 

Breathing Control Exercises: to optimize athletic performance.