February is American Heart Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart and circulatory system (heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure).

Physical Therapy can play a key role in heart health:

-Exercise-based rehabilitation for individuals with heart

disease significantly improves outcomes and mortality rates.

-Expert advice and treatment to help individuals

maintain or return to their normal level of function and

daily activities.

-Healthy lifestyle changes recommended by a physical

therapist can make a difference.

-Patients who performed strengthening and functional tasks three times

a week for four weeks following a stroke make significant improvements

in strength, walking speed and endurance.