Get active this January with the Knowsley Community CVD Cardiac Rehabilitation team
%20(2).jpg)
Is your new year’s resolution to be more active? Did you know that exercise can have a positive impact on overall physical, mental and emotional wellbeing?
We caught up with the Cardiac Rehabilitation team within the Knowsley Community Cardiovascular Service who provide cardiac rehabilitation clinics across the Knowsley area. The team support our patients with health behaviour change, equip them with skills and provide education to help instil good habits moving forward. They shared the benefits of adding exercise into your weekly routine:
Physical Health Benefits
- Improves cardiovascular health
Regular exercise strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure, and improves circulation. It can help prevent cardiovascular disease and slows progress of existing cardiovascular disease.
- Supports healthy weight management
It helps burn calories, build muscle, and maintain a healthy body composition.
- Boosts strength and endurance
Increases muscle tone, bone density, and improve joints, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and frailty.
- Promotes better sleep
Regular movement can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper rest.
Mental Health Benefits
- Reduces stress and anxiety
Exercise triggers the release of endorphins which are natural mood lifters and reduces stress hormones like cortisol.
- Decreases symptoms of depression
Physical activity can be as effective as medication or therapy for mild to moderate depression in some individuals.
- Improves cognitive function
It boosts memory, focus, and brain plasticity, helping to reduce cognitive decline with age.
Emotional and Social Wellbeing
- Builds social connections
Group exercises or team sports encourage communication and a sense of belonging.
- Encourages mindfulness
Activities like yoga, pilates or even walking can centre your thoughts and reduce mental clutter.
Long-term Wellbeing
- Reduces the risk of chronic diseases
Lowers the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and arthritis.
- Improves longevity
Studies consistently link regular exercise with a longer, healthier life.
- Enhances quality of life
More energy, better mobility, and fewer health issues mean more enjoyment of daily activities.
Here are the team’s top tips for instilling good habits and improving your physical activity:
1. Start slow
To start exercising, it’s important that you begin slowly and gradually build up.
2. Incorporate in your daily routine
Incorporate movement into your daily life. Like take the stairs instead of lifts.
.jpg)
3. Set realistic goals
Set realistic goals such as building 10-30 minutes of exercise a few times into your weekly routine. Build consistency before increasing intensity. Track progress.
- Warm up
Always warm-up, listen to your body to avoid pain.
- Buddy up
Having a buddy to do it with can help or listen to music to help keep you motivated.
- Keep it going and enjoy!
The best tip of all is to keep the momentum going long term by trying to do something you enjoy like walking or cycling.
Knowsley Community CVD: Cardiac Rehab Service
The aim of the Knowsley Community CVD Cardiac Rehabilitation Service is to improve the experience and outcomes for people who have been diagnosed with heart or vascular disease, ensuring they are supported in their return to as full an active life as possible, through lifestyle support clinics and comprehensive cardiovascular rehabilitation.
Patients, along with their partners, carers, or family members are encouraged and supported to achieve and maintain optimal physical health and social and psychological wellbeing.
The cardiac rehab programme has a whole host of benefits and national data has indicates that it is effective in reducing cardiovascular mortality by 26% BACPR and reduce hospitalisations by 18-25% (British Heart Foundation). One of the biggest hurdles patients faces is the fear that movement will trigger another attack. Supervised exercise proves to patients that their bodies are still capable, helping them overcome any fear of exertion and build confidence.
For more information about the Knowsley Community CVD Cardiac Rehab Service please visit HERE.