Heart disease

The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease, accounting for a third of all deaths between the age of 45 and 64. It occurs where the heart is damaged by the narrowing or blocking coronary arteries which supply the blood to the heart muscle. Insufficient blood reaches the heart leading to chest pain (angina pectoris) and heart attacks. The narrowing of arteries is caused by patches of cholesterol rich fatty deposits and by blood clots forming on these patches.

Smoking, unhealthy diet, high blood pressure and lack of exercise all contribute to heart disease. Physiotherapists, working as a part of a team, develop a treatment programme, taking into account the person's age, lifestyle, previous history and severity of the disease

Rehabilitation after a heart attack may take several months or more. The physiotherapist will teach relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and exercises to gradually strengthen leg and trunk muscles. Gradually, gentle activity such as walking is introduced. Outpatient rehabilitation may include a group activity with fellow patients in a gym. Throughout the programme the physiotherapist aims to rebuild the person's confidence, to improve exercise tolerance and to teach them to recognise signs and symptoms of excess exercise

British Heart Foundation
14 Fitzhardinge Street
London
W1H 6DH

Tel: 020 7935 0185
Fax: 020 7486 5820
British Heart Foundation website British Heart Foundation website