A healthy heart starts with movement

Movement can be medicine, and World Physiotherapy Day 2026 is putting that message at the center of heart and stroke prevention.

The campaign looks beyond physiotherapy’s familiar role in treating back pain, stiff joints or injuries. Physiotherapists can assess physical abilities, recommend safe exercise and help people become more active gradually. That guidance can make movement less intimidating for people who have avoided exercise or older adults worried about overexertion.

Planned activity can also help people living with heart disease rebuild strength, improve fitness and return to daily routines. For stroke survivors, physiotherapy can support walking, standing, balance, strength and everyday tasks. Recovery often requires repetition and consistent support, beginning in hospital and continuing after a patient returns home.

The article says the message carries particular weight in Bangladesh, where heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and other long-term illnesses are placing increasing pressure on families and the health system. Prevention, it argues, cannot rely only on hospitals, prescriptions or treatment after illness begins.

Becoming more active does not necessarily mean joining a gym or following an exhausting routine. Walking, taking breaks from sitting and gradually improving fitness can all help. For people with health conditions or physical limitations, professional advice can help them find activity that is safe and realistic.