February is American Heart Awareness month. Nearly half of adults in the United States (47%, or 116 million) have hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg or are taking medication for hypertension. Having hypertension puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States. Medical management and lifestyle modifications remain the first line of treatment for hypertension once diagnosed. However, alternative treatment for hypertension – like physical therapy– can be an effective way of preventing the symptoms and serious consequences that this condition brings.
Physical therapists are the exercise prescription experts of the medical field. An evaluation by a PT will allow them to formulate an exercise program to fit your specific fitness level while making sure that all vitals remain within adequate ranges. The PT will work with you to establish fitness and health goals from exercise therapy designed using FITT principle. Often, these include reaching a healthy weight and meeting physical activity levels that will work to reduce blood pressure numbers.
Continued physical activity is the key to maintain blood pressure within normal ranges. Increasing aerobic activity leads to increased heart strength. A stronger heart requires less effort to pump blood which in turn reduces the pressure in arteries leading to lower blood pressure. Looking for a PT to help you manage your hypertension or simply kickstart your exercise journey? Make an appointment with us at ProMet Physical therapy and take charge of your treatment today.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. About Multiple Cause of Death, 1999–2019. CDC WONDER Online Database website. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2019. Accessed February 1, 2021.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hypertension Cascade: Hypertension Prevalence, Treatment and Control Estimates Among U.S. Adults Aged 18 Years and Older Applying the Criteria from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association’s 2017 Hypertension Guideline—NHANES 2015–2018external icon. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2021. Accessed March 12, 2021.
