Tag: american heart month

The Role of Advanced Technology in Cardiac Rehab

The Role of Advanced Technology in Cardiac Rehab 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the US. It is caused by plaque build-up in the coronary arteries, which slows blood flow. The most common symptom of CAD is chest pain. However, many people don’t have symptoms and only find out they have CAD after suffering a heart attack. 

With February being American Heart Month, it’s an opportune time to highlight the importance of cardiac rehab (CR) in supporting heart health and managing CAD. CR helps prevent future heart attacks, improves physical function, and enhances quality of life. A comprehensive CR program includes physical activity, education, and counseling. Advanced rehab technology can play a role in cardiac management, improving breathing and physical activity for individuals with CAD. 

OmniFlow® Breathing Therapy Biofeedback System

In patients with stable angina, an 8-week inspiratory muscle training program improved respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life.1 The OmniFlow Breathing Therapy Biofeedback System incorporates interactive, customizable, breathing exercises that help guide patients and their therapists. 

Forced Inhalation

Forced Exhalation

Rhythmic Breathing

Controlled Expiration

ACBT/Huff Technique

OmniVR® Virtual Rehabilitation System

A Cochrane Review of exercise-based CR in people with coronary heart disease found that exercise-based CR reduced the risk of heart attack, all-cause hospitalization, and cardiovascular mortality.2 Additionally, CR utilizing interactive virtual reality (VR) resulted in less pain, improved walking, higher energy levels, increased physical activity, and improved motivation and adherence.3  The OmniVR Virtual Reality Rehabilitation System combines gamified exercise with VR through interactive, customizable, seated and standing activities. 

  • Seated: Knee AROM, leg strength (Picnic) 
  • Sit-to-Stand: Trunk control, leg strength (Bingo) 
  • Balance and Gait: Dynamic balance, multidirectional gait (Mole, Flower Garden) 
  • Gait: Ankle/hip/stepping strategies (Walking the Dog) 
  • Upper Extremity: Sitting/standing balance, timed UE motion, functional reach (Carnival) 

OmniCycle™ Advanced Active-Assist Cycle

The 2020 American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) clinical practice guideline for patients with heart failure specifically recommends cycling as a mode for aerobic and high intensity interval training.4 ACP’s OmniCycle Connect Advanced Active-Assist Cycle has innovative motor-assist technology and customizable exercises for patients with upper- and lower-extremity challenges. Paired with the OmniTour Virtual Exercise Experience, patients can enjoy an immersive VR cycling experience that motivates them to train more often and with greater effort. 

Upgrade Your Cardiac Rehab

Interested in learning more about how ACP’s advanced rehab technologies can enhance your cardiac rehab program?

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  1. Huzmeli, I., Ozer, A. Y., Akkus, O., & Yalcin, F. (2022). The results of inspiratory muscle training on cardiac, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and psychological status in patients with stable angina: A randomized controlled trial. Disability and Rehabilitation, 
    1–12. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2146767 ↩︎
  2. Dibben, G., Faulkner, J., Oldridge, N., Rees, K., Thompson, D. R., Zwisler, A. D., & Taylor, R. S. (2021). Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 11(11), CD001800. 
    https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001800.pub4 ↩︎
  3. García-Bravo, S., Cuesta-Gómez, A., Campuzano-Ruiz, R., López-Navas, M. J., Domínguez-Paniagua, J., Araújo-Narváez, A., Barreñada-Copete, E., García-Bravo, C., Flórez-García, M. T., Botas-Rodríguez, J., & Cano-de-la-Cuerda, R. (2021). 
    Virtual reality and video games in cardiac rehabilitation programs. A systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 43(4), 448–457. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1631892  ↩︎
  4. Shoemaker, M. J., Dias, K. J., Lefebvre, K. M., Heick, J. D., & Collins, S. M. (2020). Physical Therapist Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Individuals With Heart Failure. Physical therapy, 100(1), 14–43. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzz127  ↩︎

MRK-BLOG-019

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the US. It is caused by plaque build-up in the coronary arteries, which slows blood flow. The most common symptom of CAD is chest pain. However, many people don’t have symptoms and only find out they have CAD after suffering a heart attack. With February being American Heart Month, it’s an opportune time to highlight the importance of cardiac rehab (CR) in supporting heart health and managing CAD.

Image of an older woman using Accelerated Care Plus' OmniCycle over a blue and green background with text that reads "Understanding Cardiopulmonary Changes with Aging."

Understanding Cardiopulmonary Changes with Aging

February is American Heart Month, a time for healthcare professionals and clinicians to focus on their role in helping patients manage their cardiovascular health. As we age, our bodies go through many changes, and our cardiovascular system is no exception. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways we can help our geriatric patients maintain their health and vitality.

It is essential for therapists to understand the physiological aging process and its effects on cardiopulmonary function when treating patients with age-related comorbidities. By familiarizing ourselves with the changes that come with age, we can build an effective preventative and therapeutic approach for our patients that enhances the impact of our care and improves our patients’ quality of life.

The Aging Cardiopulmonary System and Functional Implications for Therapists

Aging can cause a myriad of changes in the heart and blood vessels that can increase a person’s risk of heart disease. As we get older, our cardiopulmonary function is impacted in the following ways:

Decreased

  • Maximum aerobic capacity
  • Maximum heart rate/Cardiac Output
  • Capillary density
  • Arterial distensibility
  • Pacemaker cells in the sinoatrial node
  • Baroreceptor sensitivity
  • Lung elastic recoil
  • Vital capacity, tidal volume
  • Alveolar surface area
  • Respiratory muscle strength

Increased

  • Left ventricular wall thickness
  • HR/BP response to submax exercise
  • Total cholesterol, LDL
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Stiffness of the chest wall
  • Residual volume

The functional implications of these changes include decreased exercise capacity, an increase in the work of respiratory muscles, a lower threshold for shortness of breath, and postural hypotension.

With the right tools and interventions, clinicians can help aging patients build up their strength and endurance, increase circulation, increase their aerobic capacity, and enhance their quality of life. ACP offers a comprehensive Cardiopulmonary Program focused on building strength, neuromuscular function, and overall fitness, as well as several continuing education courses for our partners through ACP University that explore rehabilitation for patients with cardiopulmonary compromise in more detail, including:  

  • Aerobic Exercise for Aging Adults 
  • Chronic Heart Failure and Rehab 
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 
  • Pulmonary Essentials – Assessment and Intervention 
  • Pulmonary Essentials – Spirometry 
  • Pulmonary Interventions – Advanced Rehab Technologies 
  • Cardiopulmonary Program Interdisciplinary Approach (Nursing Home Administrator CE) 

By deepening our understanding of cardiopulmonary care, we can make a profound difference in the health and well-being of our aging patients. 

If you are interested in learning more about our Cardiopulmonary Program, scheduling training, accessing these courses, or simply want more information on this topic, please reach out to your Clinical Program Consultant.  

References:  

  1. Moffat, M. (May 2013). Certification as Exercise Experts for Aging Adults: Courses 1
  1. Lewis, C., Bottomley, J. (2008) Geriatric Rehabilitation: A Clinical Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall