Did You Know Physical Therapy Helps Congenital Heart Disease?
What is Congenital Heart Disease?
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a clinical condition where there is a developmental abnormality of the heart during the stages leading to birth.
This condition may sometimes go undetected at the time of birth. However, a variety of symptoms may surface later in life. Children with congenital heart disease can suffer from generalized tiredness and fatigue, which can significantly affect their quality of life.
Medical Treatments that cure this disease focus on improving the symptoms. Additionally, these treatments close/repair the defects in the heart through surgical treatments.
Physical therapy for children with congenital heart disease
An advantage of physical therapy is that it shows improvement in the stamina of children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease.
Why do children with congenital heart disease have reduced stamina?
The type of Congenital Heart Disease is indicative of the blood flow to and from the heart. Under normal circumstances, blood flows from the entire body to the right side of the heart. It then gets pumped from the left side of the heart to the rest of the body.
In this case, there is a muscular defect, which results in an alteration of this blood flow. As a result, blood without oxygen gets circulated through the body, thereby causing tiredness, fatigue, and weakness.
How is Physical therapy useful for a child suffering from CHD?
Physical therapists help children with congenital heart anomalies live a happy, healthy, and active life. Therapists perform a detailed clinical examination and work closely with the physician to create a safe, enjoyable exercise program. Muscle weakness and reduced muscle tone are common symptoms in this condition.
Parental and caregiver education is an essential part of this treatment. Despite the constraints imposed by the condition due to congenital heart disease, physical therapists can advise parents of children about different methods and techniques; that can help their child lead the best possible quality of life.
Let Us Help Your Child
Our therapists increase the child’s muscle strength, balance, core strength, and muscle coordination. As a result of this, the child gains freedom and independence to participate in recreational activities with other children.
Congenital Heart Disease can prove to be very difficult to cope with for any child. These children need structured care more than sympathy. At Western New York Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Group, that is what we aim at providing.