What is Cardiovascular Physiotherapy?

Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy is devoted to helping patients improve cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular Physiotherapists work in all sorts of physiotherapy  settings, including hospitals (inpatient), outpatient clinics (hospital based and private), and possibly even home health environments. Cardiovascular physiotherapists play a small, but very important, role in the grand scheme of cardiac rehabilitation. These therapists work collaboratively with other health team members to ensure optimal physical recovery of the Cardiovascular patients.

Cardiovascular rehabilitation can help those who have heart disease, or those at risk, to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular episodes and improve overall health. Cardiovascular therapists, inter professional collaboration is key for success. Cardiac rehab physical therapists also work alongside family members and other professionals.

The team of professionals that a Cardiovascular works with include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Registered dietitians
• Psychologists
• Pharmacists
• Social workers

A Cardiovascular Physiotherapist uses a  holistic approach or cardiac rehab programs to address the full spectrum of cardiovascular physical therapy from acute to chronic conditions, starting with care of the stable patient and progressing to management of the more complex, unstable patient.