Health Mag June '25: Cardiac Rehab - More Than Just Exercise

In support of Cardiac Rehabilitation Awareness Week – 9–15 June 2025

"Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity." – Hippocrates, c. 400 BC

Introduction

This June, we celebrate Cardiac Rehabilitation Awareness Week (9 – 15 June 2025) — a dedicated time to highlight the benefits of cardiac rehab and encourage more people to access this life-changing support.

Whether you’ve just had a cardiac event or you’re years into recovery, cardiac rehab is about more than just physical recovery — it’s about restoring confidence, independence, and long-term health.

At My Movement Medicine, we believe that rehabilitation is not a short-term fix — it’s an ongoing, empowering process. This month, we’re sharing why cardiac rehab matters, what it includes, and how it can help you live well and move forward.

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now." – Chinese Proverb

What Is Cardiac Rehabilitation — And Why Is It So Important?

Cardiac rehabilitation is a structured programme designed to help people recover and regain health after a heart event or diagnosis. It typically includes exercise, education, lifestyle support, and psychosocial care.

According to NICE and the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR), completing a cardiac rehab programme can:

• Reduce the risk of further cardiac events by 20–30%

• Improve heart and lung function

• Lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels

• Reduce anxiety and depression

• Improve quality of life, mobility, and independence【1】【2】

Despite these benefits, uptake of cardiac rehab in the UK remains low, with only around half of eligible patients completing a programme【3】. Many are unsure if it’s right for them, or feel anxious about returning to exercise.

But rehab isn’t about pushing limits — it’s about working at your pace, with the right guidance, in a supportive setting.

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."– Robert Collier, 1926

What to Expect in a Cardiac Rehab Programme

A good cardiac rehab programme includes:

• Individualised exercise prescription — tailored to your needs, symptoms, medications, and goals

• Safe cardiovascular training — guided by heart rate monitoring, Borg RPE scores, and clear pacing

• Strength, balance, and flexibility training — to support your day-to-day movement and prevent falls

• Lifestyle education — including nutrition, stress management, smoking cessation, and sleep habits

• Ongoing support — to build confidence, track progress, and keep you motivated long-term

  
  

At My Movement Medicine, we offer all this — with the added bonus of great playlists, online flexibility, and a warm, supportive community.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." – Theodore Roosevelt, 1913

Practical Tips to Get the Most Out of Cardiac Rehab

1. Start Where You Are

   • If you’re unsure or unfit, start with short walks or low-intensity classes and build gradually.

2. Track How You Feel

   • Use the Borg Scale or a symptoms log to note breathlessness, energy, and mood over time.

3. Make It Social

   • Join a live session (online or in person). Community support improves motivation and attendance.

4. Prioritise Consistency

   • It’s better to do 20 minutes three times a week than go all-in once a month.

5. Stay Curious

   • Ask questions, attend education sessions, and learn about your heart health — it’s your journey.

     
     

"You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take."– Wayne Gretzky, 1983

Your SMART Challenges

Short-Term Challenge (2 Weeks)

Goal: Complete two structured rehab-based exercise sessions per week.

Action: Join live or recorded My Movement Medicine classes, or follow your own safe, guided plan.

Timeframe: Two sessions per week for 2 weeks. Record your RPE and heart rate after each one.

Long-Term Challenge (8 Weeks)

Goal: Improve aerobic fitness by progressing weekly walking duration by 5 minutes.

Action: Start with your current walk time and increase by 5 minutes per week (if safe).

Timeframe: Track weekly increases and aim for 150 minutes per week by week 8.

“Knowledge is power, but enthusiasm pulls the switch.”– Ivern Ball, 1957

Recommended Reading

1. “The Cardiac Recovery Handbook” by Dr. Paul Kligfield

   A clear, supportive guide to life after a cardiac event, covering exercise, diet, and emotional health.

2. “Reversing Heart Disease” by Dr. Dean Ornish

   
   

3. A pioneering book on lifestyle-based cardiac care, with case studies and strategies for long-term heart health.

“Every step forward, no matter how small, is a step toward recovery.”– Unknown

Summary

Cardiac rehabilitation is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent further heart events and improve quality of life — yet it remains underused.

During Cardiac Rehabilitation Awareness Week (9–15 June 2025), take the opportunity to recommit to your own recovery. Whether you’re just starting or already moving forward, know that you’re not doing it alone.

Every session is a step. Every step is progress. Let’s keep you moving — safely, steadily, and together.

Evidence-Based References

1. NICE Guidelines (2023). Cardiac Rehabilitation in Adults – NG196.

2. BACPR Standards and Core Components (2023).

3. British Heart Foundation. (2024). Cardiac Rehab Participation Report.

This blog post was written by Jamie Pickett, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, with AI assistance