Would you know how to identify a stroke if you saw one? Luckily for Hayley (name changed for privacy), her colleagues did.
It was just another regular workday when Hayley’s team noticed something wasn’t right. She was struggling to find the right words, seemed confused by software she normally used with ease, and just wasn’t acting like herself. Thankfully, her colleagues didn’t dismiss the signs. What they were witnessing was the onset of a stroke, and their quick thinking may have changed the course of her life.
As we acknowledge Stroke Awareness Week (4–10 August), Hayley’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of recognising stroke symptoms early and the critical role that rehabilitation, particularly exercise physiology, can play in recovery.
What Is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, depriving brain cells of oxygen and causing them to die. Depending on which part of the brain is affected, the consequences can vary widely, from physical impairments like weakness or paralysis, to difficulties with communication, memory, and concentration.
Time plays a critical role in the severity of a stroke, which is why it’s so important to act FAST.
Hayley’s stroke affected the left middle cerebral artery; a region linked to language and cognitive processing. As a result, her primary challenges today involve communication (aphasia, word finding difficulties), concentration and cognitive fatigue. She has been supported by a multidisciplinary team including speech pathologists and occupational therapists.
While Hayley’s movement was fortunately not impacted, physical fatigue quickly emerged as one of the biggest barriers to her recovery. Recognising that fatigue was limiting her function and slowing her return-to-life goals, her rehab team referred her to Exercise Physiologist Ryan at Specialised Health.
The Role of Exercise in Stroke Recovery
While exercise can’t reverse the damage done by a stroke, it can play a critical role in supporting neuroplasticity, improving energy regulation and building the physical and cognitive resilience needed for everyday life and employment.
At the time of referral, Hayley struggled to walk or stand for more than 30 minutes without needing a break and frequently relied on naps during the day just to cope. Given her fatigue and deconditioning, she was a perfect candidate for exercise physiology, both for rebuilding her physical capacity and supporting her overall recovery. Add the Specialised Health touch and it’s not just about exercise. It’s a program that is highly personalised, driven by biometric feedback and closely aligned with how her body is coping day to day.
She is still in the midst of her program, but here is a snapshot into Ryan’s approach.
How HRV Is Guiding Hayley’s Recovery
To ensure the program supports rather than overwhelms her, EP Ryan is using a daily Heart Rate Variability (HRV) monitoring system. HRV is a marker of nervous system readiness; when scores are high, the body is primed for activity and adaptation. When they’re low, the nervous system may be under stress and in need of recovery.
To make this actionable, Ryan uses a traffic light system:
- On high-readiness days, Hayley takes on more demanding sessions: resistance training, guided Pilates, and longer walks. These sessions aim to push her physical boundaries safely, improving her strength and work-specific endurance.
- On moderate-readiness days, the focus shifts to active recovery. These sessions include mat-based Pilates, mobility work and light cognitive tasks that keep her moving without draining her.
- On low-readiness days, the priority is downregulation. Hayley engages in breathing techniques, gentle stretching and low-stimulation activities like slow walks in nature or listening to calming music. These days help manage central nervous system load and allow her to bounce back more effectively.
This system ensures that every session is tailored to how Hayley is actually feeling and functioning, not just what’s scheduled. It’s a dynamic, flexible approach that respects her body’s signals and prioritises long-term recovery.
More Than Just Physical Rehab
Ryan’s approach is holistic and multi-faceted. Her program also includes targeted cognitive tasks aimed at rebuilding attention, memory, and executive function – critical skills for both daily living and her eventual return to work. To help her better manage energy and improve recovery, Ryan has also incorporated sleep hygiene education and techniques to promote downregulation of the nervous system. Strategies like HRV-paced breathing, mindfulness and gentle mobility exercises are used to reduce overload and support parasympathetic activity.
A Case for Awareness
Hayley’s story is still unfolding, but it stands as another encouraging example of how exercise can be paired with HRV – providing rehabilitation that is targeted, tailored, and dynamic.
During Stroke Awareness Week, we encourage you to remember the ‘FAST test:
- Face: Is it drooping?
- Arms: Can they lift both?
- Speech: Is it slurred or strange?
- Time: Call emergency services immediately.
Want to learn more about how Specialised Health supports stroke recovery? Get in touch. We’re here to help people like Hayley return to work—and to life.
Author: Yolanda
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