** In honour of World Heart Day – September 29th **
As Exercise Physiologists, we see cardiovascular disease (CVD) in many forms. Whether it’s heart failure, post-myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation or just the slow toll of deconditioning, cardiac health is a major part of what we do.
In fact, CVD is the leading cause of death globally and a common chronic condition we work with across insurance and rehabilitation files. Even when the primary claim isn’t cardiac-related, deconditioning of the cardiovascular system is a near-universal side effect of time off work, illness or inactivity.
The Heart Is a Muscle – It Adapts Like One
Let’s take a quick look at what’s actually happening to the heart when someone exercises, both in the short term and over time.
Short-Term: The Immediate Response
- Increased heart rate & stroke volume. The heart pumps faster and more forcefully to deliver oxygen to working muscles.
- Redistribution of blood flow. Blood is prioritised toward skeletal muscles and skin, reducing flow to less urgent systems like digestion.
- Vasodilation. Blood vessels widen to reduce resistance and improve oxygen delivery.
- Elevated cardiac output. The combination of faster heart rate and greater stroke volume results in more blood circulating each minute.
These changes are transient, but with repeated exposure, the body begins to adapt.
Long-Term: Cardiac Remodeling
- Cardiac muscle hypertrophy; Particularly in the left ventricle, allowing the heart to pump more efficiently.
- Reduced resting heart rate; A stronger heart means fewer beats are needed at rest.
- Improved vascular function; Including more elastic arteries and healthier blood pressure regulation.
- Increased blood volume and oxygen-carrying capacity; Enhancing endurance and recovery.
These adaptations aren’t just athletic, they’re protective! Regular exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.
Education Empowers Adherence
Many clients living with cardiovascular disease are told to “start moving more”, a well-meaning but vague piece of advice. Often it comes with a confusing caveat like, “but not too much,” or “don’t overdo it.” For people with a heart condition, that uncertainty can breed fear, hesitation and inactivity.
❝ If I push too hard, could I make things worse? How do I even know what’s safe? ❞
It’s no surprise that many of our clients come to us unsure of where to begin.
That’s where education becomes just as important as prescription. As EPs, part of our role is helping people understand what’s happening in their body, why exercise is safe (and necessary) and how to pace themselves with confidence.
Whether it’s explaining how aerobic exercise improves cardiac output, or how resistance training can support blood pressure regulation, we find that a basic understanding goes a long way in building buy-in and reducing fear.
When clients know what’s happening and why it matters, they’re more likely to:
- Trust the process
- Follow the program
- Stick with it long enough to feel the benefits
We’re not just restoring physical function, we’re restoring confidence in the body. And that starts with knowledge.
Cardiovascular Health in RTW Rehabilitation
CVD doesn’t just live in cardiology clinics. We see it:
- In life insurance claims with comorbid conditions
- In cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced cardiac changes
- In musculoskeletal files where inactivity has taken a toll
- In fatigue-related cases where autonomic dysregulation overlaps with poor cardiovascular fitness
No matter the claim, the heart plays a role.
World Heart Day: A Reminder and a Call to Action
World Heart Day (September 29th) is a global campaign to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease. For us, it’s a reminder of the power of movement as medicine, and of the role Exercise Physiology can play in both recovery and prevention.
World Heart Day – September 29
Learn more: https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/
Have a claimant in need of cardiovascular support? Reach out to our team, we’ll tailor a plan that matches both heart and function.
Author: Tessa Nielsen
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