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How Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Builds Stronger Hearts and Supports Lasting Recovery; promoting World Heart Day
Every year on 29th September, people across the globe come together for World Heart Day – a campaign led by the World Heart Federation to raise awareness about cardiovascular health. It’s a reminder that our hearts deserve care and attention every single day, whether we’re recovering from a heart condition or simply wanting to stay healthy for the future.
At Cardiac Lauren, we believe that even the smallest positive choices can have a lasting impact. Your heart is a muscle, and like any muscle, it thrives on regular care and support.
Lauren’s Story for World Heart Day
I am Cardiac Lauren, and I have been teaching cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes for 20 years – and it all started back in 2004. Whilst on a gym shift, I was approached by two ladies who asked me to help them continue their recovery post-cardiac surgery.
The two ladies made such good progress that they returned to their lives even fitter than before surgery. Their determination inspired me so much that I decided to become fully qualified in cardiac rehabilitation – and I’ve never looked back.
Today, I teach six face-to-face classes in Surrey, alongside an online subscription programme that gives members access to a variety of pre-recorded classes at all themes and intensities, available 24/7. This means my members can exercise when it suits them, fitting movement into their busy lives.
We’ve also built a thriving WhatsApp community where members support and motivate each other every day. Their effort, commitment, and determination inspire me just as much as those first two ladies did – and I feel privileged to guide so many people on their heart health journey.
On a personal note, I know that I have a family history of stroke’s on my father’s side, so I know I need to ensure that I maintain a good level of fitness to reduce my risk of having a heart event. I do this by joining in with the classes, walking, cycling to work twice a week, and doing lots of gardening!
Small Steps, Big Difference – do it for World Heart Day!
Looking after your heart doesn’t have to mean dramatic changes overnight. In fact, it’s the small, everyday choices that often have the most lasting impact.
💓 Keep Moving
Even gentle daily activity can make a difference. A short walk, a light stretch, or a few minutes of resistance exercise helps your heart pump more efficiently, lowers blood pressure, and improves circulation. Consistency is key – 10 to 20 minutes a day adds up to hours of heart-healthy movement each week.
💓 Choose Balanced Meals
What you eat fuels your body and your heart. Focus on simple swaps that add up over time:
- Choose wholegrains like oats, brown rice, or wholemeal bread instead of refined carbs.
- Include heart-healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, and oily fish.
- Fill half your plate with colourful fruit and vegetables to get fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants that protect against disease.
💓 Make Time to Rest
Stress puts extra strain on the heart. Prioritising good sleep and finding ways to unwind are just as important as exercise. Try setting aside five minutes a day for deep breathing, gentle stretching, or mindfulness. These small pauses can calm your nervous system and ease the pressure on your heart.
💓 Stay on Top of Check-Ups
Regular health checks give you and your healthcare team the chance to catch issues early. Monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels helps you understand how your heart is doing – and gives you confidence that you’re on the right track. This is one of the main focuses of World Heart Day. Giving people the opportunity to understand what changes they can make to their diet and lifestyle if they have been diagnosed with a heart condition.
A positive step today for World Heart Day
Every class at Cardiac Lauren is designed with your heart in mind – safe, welcoming, and enjoyable. Whether you’re in Phase 4 cardiac rehab, living with a heart condition, or wanting to protect your future health, exercise is one of the most powerful tools available to you.
One of my members joined after heart surgery, worried they would never regain their stamina. After three months of consistent classes, they were walking further than before their operation and felt more confident in daily life.
This World Heart Day, we’re celebrating by encouraging everyone to take just one step for their heart. That might be joining a class, going for a walk, cooking a nourishing meal, or taking five minutes to relax. For more information on World Heart Day click here https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/
Cardiovascular disease is the world’s number one killer, causing over 20.5 million deaths each year (World Heart Federation, 2023). But up to 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke are preventable through lifestyle changes.
💓 Your heart gives you life – let’s give it the care it deserves. Together, we can build stronger, healthier hearts for the future.
Your heart gives you life – let’s give it the care it deserves. Together, we can build stronger, healthier hearts for the future.
👉 Ready to take your first step? Contact me today to find out more about joining a class or subscribing online.
It’s World Heart Day – so why not start today!
