High blood pressure and heart health · Epping
Exercise for high blood pressure and heart health in Epping.
Prescribed exercise lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol and makes the heart more efficient. Our Accredited Exercise Physiologists design and supervise programs for hypertension, high cholesterol and recovery after a cardiac event, alongside your GP or cardiologist.
Unit 11, 58 Willandra Drive, Epping. Free parking. Mon to Fri 9am to 7pm.
Sound familiar?
How high blood pressure and heart health usually shows up.
If a few of these ring true, you are in the right place. None of them mean something is badly wrong, and all of them respond to the right plan.
- Your GP has started or increased blood pressure medication and mentioned lifestyle
- A family history of heart disease and you want to get ahead of it
- You have had a heart attack, stent or bypass and finished, or never started, cardiac rehab
- Breathless on hills or stairs that used to be easy
- You are nervous about pushing yourself and would rather be supervised
- A recent health check flagged cholesterol, blood pressure and waist all at once
Why it happens
What is usually going on.
Blood pressure responds to exercise within weeks. Regular aerobic activity lowers systolic pressure by a similar amount to a single medication, and newer research shows isometric exercise such as wall sits and handgrip work has an even larger effect. Strength training improves vascular health and helps with the weight, glucose and cholesterol picture at the same time.
After a cardiac event, supervised exercise is one of the most effective treatments available, cutting the risk of another event and of hospital readmission. Many people leave hospital without completing a program. We provide that supervised bridge, with monitoring, and hand you back to your own routine with confidence.
What we do
Assess, plan, retest. Numbers, not guesswork.
Every plan at Integral Movement starts with measurement on our force plates and strength testing, ends with a written program, and is retested at six weeks. One clinician, start to finish.
01
Assess
Medical history, medications, resting blood pressure and heart rate, aerobic capacity and strength. We agree limits and monitoring with your GP or cardiologist where needed.
02
Prescribe
A combination of aerobic, resistance and where suitable isometric training, progressed carefully. Blood pressure is checked as we go so you can see the trend.
03
Transition
The aim is independence: a program you can run at home or in a community gym, with periodic reviews and a summary to your GP.
What the research says
Evidence, in plain English.
We read the research so you do not have to. These are the findings that shape how we treat high blood pressure and heart health. Ask us for the papers at your visit.
01
Meta-analyses show aerobic exercise lowers systolic blood pressure by around 5 to 8 mmHg in people with hypertension, and isometric training by more, according to a 2023 review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
02
Exercise based cardiac rehabilitation reduces cardiovascular mortality and hospital readmission after a heart attack or revascularisation (Cochrane).
03
The Heart Foundation and ESSA recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity per week plus resistance training for cardiovascular risk reduction.
Who you will see
Accredited Exercise Physiologists, not a rotating roster.
You see the same clinician start to finish. Brad Buisson and Dennis Belios lead the musculoskeletal and chronic condition work, with our dietitian and occupational therapist in the same clinic when the plan needs them. Meet the team →
Funding
Medicare care plans, NDIS, DVA, WorkCover, TAC.
With a GP Chronic Disease Management plan Medicare rebates up to five allied health visits a year. We are a registered NDIS provider and bill DVA, WorkCover and TAC directly for accepted claims. Not sure what applies? Call and we will work it out.
Epping and Melbourne's north
High blood pressure and heart health help close to home.
Integral Movement is at Unit 11, 58 Willandra Drive, Epping, between Cooper Street and Edgars Road near the Northern Hospital, with free parking at the door. We see people with high blood pressure and heart health from Epping, South Morang, Mill Park, Wollert, Mernda, Lalor, Thomastown and across the City of Whittlesea. Home visits are available for NDIS, My Aged Care and DVA clients.
FAQ
Questions about high blood pressure and heart health
Is exercise safe with high blood pressure?
Yes when it is prescribed properly. We check your resting pressure, avoid breath holding and heavy straining early on and progress gradually. Uncontrolled very high pressure is referred back to your GP first.
Can I come after a heart attack or stent?
Yes. Bring your discharge summary. We coordinate with your cardiologist and follow cardiac rehab principles including monitoring.
Will I be able to reduce my medication?
That is a decision for your GP, but many people see enough change in blood pressure and weight that medication is reviewed. We report your results back.
Does Medicare cover this?
With a GP Chronic Disease Management plan, yes, up to five allied health visits per year. DVA also covers exercise physiology for eligible veterans.
What if I get chest pain during exercise?
We screen carefully, monitor and stop at the first sign of anything unusual. Anyone with unstable symptoms is referred urgently rather than trained.
Related
Often goes with it.
Diabetes
Exercise is one of the most powerful tools for type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes, and it works best when it is prescribed, not guessed.
Osteoporosis, falls and balance
Bone responds to load, and the right kind of strength and impact training is the most effective non drug treatment for low bone density.
Chronic and persistent pain
Pain that has lasted months or years, moved around, or never matched the scans.
Cancer rehab
Exercise is now recommended as part of standard cancer care in Australia.
Ready to get it sorted?
Unit 11, 58 Willandra Drive
Epping VIC 3076
ABN 73 674 529 241
Epping VIC 3076
ABN 73 674 529 241