Regular physical exercise can reduce the risk of stroke by up to 45 per cent and heart disease by 25 per cent, physiotherapists said as Rwanda joined the world in marking World Physiotherapy Day on Sunday, September 27. One in four people will have a stroke in their lifetime, but many strokes can be prevented by addressing risk factors such as physical inactivity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking and unhealthy diets, physiotherapists say. ALSO READ: Why physical therapy for your wellbeing is essential A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or interrupted, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Without enough blood and oxygen, brain cells can become damaged, potentially affecting movement, speech, vision and other functions. Common warning signs include sudden weakness or numbness, particularly on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, sudden vision problems, dizziness or difficulty walking, and a sudden severe headache. Jean-Damascène Gasherebuka, a physiotherapist and member of the Rwanda Physiotherapy Organisation and World Physiotherapy board member, said physiotherapy has an important role in both preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and stroke. ALSO READ: Here is what you need to know about stroke “Physiotherapy is key in preventing stroke and heart diseases and also treating those already affected by these diseases. Cardiovascular diseases kill over 20 million people every year. This is due to lack of physical exercise and other lifestyle risk factors,” he said. He urged people to undergo regular health checks, particularly to monitor their blood pressure. “What people eat today causes issues such as obesity, which leads to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The most important thing to prevent all these is physical exercise. Physical exercise can prevent such diseases by up to 25 per cent and stroke by up to 45 per cent,” he said. ALSO READ: How to start work-out routine and stick to it Gasherebuka also urged people to avoid sitting for long periods at work and to move regularly. “Physical exercise should be highly promoted in communities and schools,” he said. He said people affected by cardiovascular diseases and stroke need professional physiotherapy as part of their rehabilitation and recovery. “Some unprofessional people tend to use reflexology to treat stroke, which is not right. We need professional physiotherapists,” he said. ALSO READ: Life after stroke: Former educator’s recovery journey Gasherebuka said community health workers could also play a role in educating people about the basic measures needed to prevent stroke and cardiovascular diseases. “Professional therapists are still few. They are available at higher-level hospitals. We need more since there are only about 400 professional physical therapists in the country. We also need mental health experts since people affected by stroke are also emotionally affected because they can no longer provide for their families,” he said. How physiotherapy prevents cardiovascular diseases The focus of this year’s World Physiotherapy Day is the role of physiotherapy and physical activity in the prevention, management and rehabilitation of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death globally, claiming more than 20 million lives each year, according to World Physiotherapy. At least 85 per cent of cardiovascular disease deaths are caused by heart attacks and strokes, while more than three-quarters of CVD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, according to the organisation. Physiotherapists can help prevent CVDs by identifying people at higher risk, designing safe and personalised exercise programmes, encouraging regular physical activity, promoting early detection and identifying warning signs. They can also help people manage cardiovascular conditions, become more physically active and reduce the risk of further cardiovascular events. Regular physical activity such as walking, cycling, swimming, dancing and hiking can improve cardiovascular health and help regulate blood pressure and blood sugar. Exercise-based physiotherapy can also improve physical function, mobility, balance and quality of life during stroke recovery. Witness Mudzi, chair of the World Physiotherapy Appeals Committee, said cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, should not be considered the sole responsibility of cardiologists and neurologists. Physiotherapists, he said, also have an important role in prevention and rehabilitation. “Movement is more than a service. It is a pathway in life, a tool for preventing disease, a strategy for managing health conditions and a means of restoring independence,” Mudzi said. He said physical inactivity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, while hypertension, diabetes, unhealthy diets and stress also contribute to the growing burden of these conditions. He said many premature cases of heart disease and stroke could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors, including physical inactivity. He added that exercise programmes should be tailored to individuals, taking into account their health status, fitness levels, intensity and progression. Mudzi said physiotherapists are well placed to assess physical activity and prescribe appropriate exercise, adding that they should be more involved in schools, workplaces, communities, primary healthcare centres and public health campaigns. He also called for stronger multidisciplinary teams involving physiotherapists, cardiologists, neurologists, nurses, occupational therapists, nutritionists, psychologists and public health professionals. Jean-Baptiste Sagahutu, a Doctor of Physiotherapy and dean at the University of Rwanda’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences, urged people to do regular checkups before developing serious complications. “People don't even get checked up. They are scared to go there. They are scared to know their status. And then, suddenly, we get a stroke because they have high blood pressure. We should advise them on that and send them to the hospital,” he said. Jean de la Paix Mutabazi, a physiotherapist at Unique Rehab Clinic, said the facility receives more than 500 people requiring physiotherapy each month. “Some come when the problem is at an early stage, while others come when the situation has worsened. Physiotherapy has to do rehabilitation. Physical inactivity is a factor in many diseases,” he said.
