Heart and metabolic health
Your heart and metabolic health affect almost every part of your body. When these systems aren’t working properly, your risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, and obesity increases.
The good news is that regular exercise can prevent, manage and even improve many of these conditions. Read more to learn how movement protects your heart and metabolism, the best types of exercise, and how to get started safely.
Why heart and metabolic health is important
- Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. Around one in four deaths each year are due to cardiovascular disease, averaging one person every 12 minutes.
- Rates of diabetes and metabolic syndrome continue to rise, affecting millions of Australians. In 2022, diabetes contributed to approximately 21,900 deaths, making up about 11 per cent of all deaths that year.
These conditions often overlap, raising the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.
Exercise is one of the most effective lifestyle changes you can make. It strengthens your heart, boosts blood flow, lowers blood pressure and blood sugar, helps regulate cholesterol, reduces inflammation, and supports healthy body composition.
Conditions that affect heart and metabolic health
Congenital heart disease
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a general term for a range of conditions that are present at birth and affect the normal workings of the heart. These can result in minor heart problems or major defects.
Exercise has many important benefits for people with CHD.
Exercise and high blood pressure (hypertension)
Aerobic exercise like walking, swimming or cycling lowers blood pressure naturally. Strength training also helps reduce harm to blood vessels over time when done safely.
Discover how exercise lowers blood pressure safely.
Exercise and diabetes
Exercise helps control blood sugar, reduces insulin resistance and supports weight management. Both aerobic and resistance training are effective.
Learn how exercise helps manage diabetes and blood sugar.
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is linked with obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol.
Find out how exercise improves MAFLD.
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome encompasses high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol and excess belly fat.
Find out how exercise improves metabolic syndrome.
Exercise for obesity and weight management
Exercise helps manage weight, reduce waist size and improve body composition. Even without big weight loss, it improves blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.
Exercising safely with a heart or metabolic condition
If you have a diagnosed condition, it’s especially important to:
- Start gradually with aerobic movement
- Warm up and cool down
- Consult medical or exercise professionals before starting
This helps ensure safety, especially for those with heart disease, hypertension or diabetes.
Getting the right support
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) can design a safe, effective program for your condition, fitness level and goals.
Find an Accredited Exercise Physiologist near you.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP)?
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) is an allied health professional that prescribes individualised exercise therapy to help people manage their chronic conditions, disabilities, long-term injuries and so much more. They are the most qualified professionals in Australia when it comes to the prescription safe and effective of exercise therapy.
Can exercise prevent heart disease?
Yes. Regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure, improving cholesterol and strengthening the heart muscle.
How much exercise lowers blood pressure?
As little as 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week can significantly reduce blood pressure.
Do I need to lose weight to improve my metabolic health?
No. Exercise can improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar even without weight loss.
You may also like
Want to dive deeper? Check out more factsheets and articles for practical, evidence-based tips on managing heart and metabolic conditions.
