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Precautions

This section is designed to….

Precautions

Cardiovascular Disease (aka Heart Disease)

What Is It? 

Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart. Diseases under the heart disease umbrella include blood vessel diseases, such as coronary artery disease; heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias); and heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects), among others.  Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.

How Does It Affect Participation?

Heart disease places certain physical limitations on a person’s body.  These individuals are no longer able to push themselves physically as they may have in the past, and as such, activities should incorporate extra breaks and attention to the body’s response to activity.

Health-Related Precautions?

People with heart disease should not exercise outdoors when it is too cold, hot, or humid, as extreme temperatures can interfere with circulation and make breathing difficult. It is important for an individual with heart disease to stay hydrated, encourage them to drink water even before they feel thirsty, especially on hot days.  Exercise should be stopped if the person becomes overly fatigued, dizzy, short of breath, or develops a rapid or irregular heartbeat.

Adaptive/Coping Techniques

  • Encourage stretching before and after physical activity.
  • Pace the activity: don’t do too much too fast. Allow extra time to rest. A person should be able to talk while exercising if they are maintaining an appropriate pace.
  • Encourage the person to monitor their heart rate closely and alert you if they need a break.


What to Bring in Case of Emergency

  • Encourage the person to bring all prescriptions such as nitroglycerin or other heart medications with them on the activity.
  • Bring a paper bag to help slow down breathing if over-exerted.

Skin breakdown

Temperature regulation

Medical implements

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

  • padding
  • positioning
  • intentional environment setup
  • minimize risks

Fears and panic

Seizures