Cardiac Conditions

A secondary complication of paralysis is cardiovascular disease. Paralysis can lead to cardiac conditions from a variety of factors. Two factors stand out, which are lack of movement and Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD). Lack of movement in the body heightens risk factors of obesity, lipid disorders, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. If there is dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system (ANS, the part of the nervous system that controls automatic functions such as heart functions), cardiovascular issues can be affected due to blood pressure effects, heart rate variability, arrhythmias, and poor cardiac response to challenges such as physical activity and stress responses.

Advances in treatments of sepsis, renal failure, and pneumonia have dropped the occurrence and deaths from these health issues. Improvement in overall healthcare allows individuals with paralysis to live longer. Unfortunately, although there are increased treatments and options for individuals with cardiac conditions and paralysis, improvements in other areas have pushed cardiac issues into the top spot for the cause of death. With understanding and treatments, you can help lower your risks for cardiac disease.

Lack of movement is a concern for individuals with paralysis. Maintaining cardiac health is a challenge for individuals with and without paralysis. Movement can assist with maintaining a healthy weight. Individuals who cannot exert energy in moving their bodies can easily take in more calories through food than what is needed. Fats can collect in the blood. These are cholesterol and triglycerides. LDL cholesterol causes fat deposits on artery walls which can clog the arteries, as well as make the artery walls stiff or without elasticity for blood to pass or pump power. Triglycerides are fats that can make arteries stiff or hard, as in atherosclerosis. Diabetes prevents the body’s ability to turn blood glucose into energy and leads to damage or organs, nerves, and tissues.

Metabolic syndrome is a condition that is a combination of other health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Individuals with fat accumulation in the waist are susceptible to metabolic syndrome. It is a chronic condition that is usually not noticed except for the expanding waistline. Laboratory blood testing for each element and diagnosis by a healthcare provider is required.

You can help yourself avoid cardiac conditions due to lack of movement. The first step is to move your body or have someone move it for you twice a day. This not only helps with cardiac function but also keeps your joints subtle, reduces tone (spasticity), improves your bowel program, decreases urinary tract infections, and even can make you feel better mentally. Often, individuals give up a daily range of motion or stretching exercises due to time constraints or finding someone to do the movements, but those that keep up with it or restart activity find better, overall health with fewer complications.

If you have the option to go to an adapted gym, having a coach or therapist that can assist with adaptations is helpful. There are heated pools in most areas that have adaptive swimming. Look online for wheelchair exercise videos. There are many video options. Before you begin moving, be sure to check with your healthcare professional to ensure your body is ready for activity. Hidden issues such as blood clots can be affected by movement, so be sure it is safe for you.