Exercise Physiology for Cardiovascular Conditions

Exercise is cardiac medicine

Few treatments in all of medicine have evidence as strong as exercise for heart health. Regular, properly prescribed activity lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, improves the heart’s efficiency, reduces the risk of another cardiac event, and, just as importantly, rebuilds the confidence that a heart scare takes away.

The catch is the word properly. After a heart attack, stent, bypass or heart failure diagnosis, exercise needs to be screened, dosed and monitored by someone qualified. That is precisely what accredited exercise physiologists are trained to do.

Conditions we support

• Recovery after heart attack, stents and bypass surgery, ongoing community cardiac rehab
• Heart failure, carefully dosed exercise that improves symptoms and capacity
• Hypertension (high blood pressure), programs that measurably lower readings
• Atrial fibrillation and arrhythmias, safe activity within agreed parameters
• Peripheral artery disease, structured walking programs, the gold-standard treatment for claudication
• High cholesterol and metabolic risk, often alongside diabetes management

How we keep it safe

1. Screening and liaison. We review your cardiac history and medications, and communicate with your GP or cardiologist before you start.
2. Conservative baseline. Your first sessions establish safe working zones using heart rate, blood pressure and effort scales.
3. Progressive program. Aerobic and strength training progressed gradually, in clinic, athome, viatelehealth or in thepool.
4. Long-term maintenance. Once you’re confident, ourgroup classes keep the gains — and the peace of mind of exercising with a clinician in the room.

Funding your cardiac exercise program

Heart conditions almost always qualify for aMedicare Chronic Disease Management plan, up to five rebated sessions a year. Veterans can useDVA funding, older clients can use Home Care Packages, and private health extras often contribute.