Heart Works

Heart Works HeartWorks provides personalized cardiac rehabilitation & fitness in Wellington, NZ. We’re here to support your health journey.

Our expert team offers supervised exercise tailored to your cardiac needs, helping you recover with confidence.

A cardiac event doesn't just affect the heart. It can also affect confidence, independence, identity, and peace of mind....
09/06/2026

A cardiac event doesn't just affect the heart. It can also affect confidence, independence, identity, and peace of mind.

Many people expect recovery to be primarily physical, focusing on medications, procedures, test results, and exercise. What often comes as a surprise is the emotional side of recovery. Fear of exercising, anxiety when the heart rate increases, worry about symptoms, and a loss of trust in their own body are all incredibly common experiences, yet they are not always openly discussed.

At HeartWorks, we regularly see people who are physically capable of doing more than they believe they can. The challenge isn't always strength or fitness—it's confidence.

One of the most rewarding parts of cardiac rehabilitation is watching that confidence return. A person who was once nervous about walking around the block is now completing an exercise session. Someone who feared increasing their heart rate learns that their body can respond safely to exercise. Someone who felt isolated discovers they are not alone in their experience.

Recovery is rarely just about the heart. It's about helping people feel safe, capable, and confident again, because recovering with confidence is just as important as recovering physically.

04/06/2026

What happens when you walk through the doors at Heartworks?

Most people think cardiac rehabilitation is simply about exercise. While exercise is an important part of recovery, it's only one piece of the puzzle.

At Heartworks, we combine clinically supervised exercise, education, heart rate monitoring, and ongoing support to help people better understand their health and build confidence in what their bodies can do.

Just as importantly, people exercise alongside others who understand the challenges of living with and recovering from a heart condition. The shared experiences, conversations, and encouragement often become just as valuable as the exercise itself.

Our goal isn't simply to improve fitness. It's to help people regain confidence, reclaim independence, and become Cardiac Champions — stronger, healthier, and more confident in managing their heart health.
Because recovery works best when you don't have to do it alone ❤️

Heart Health: More Than One Piece of the PuzzleWhen we think about improving heart health, it's easy to focus on a singl...
02/06/2026

Heart Health: More Than One Piece of the Puzzle

When we think about improving heart health, it's easy to focus on a single area—exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management, medication, or social connection. But the reality is that these factors don't work in isolation. Each influences the others.

Good nutrition can support energy levels and recovery from exercise. Regular physical activity can improve sleep quality. Better sleep can help regulate stress, mood, and appetite. Managing stress may support blood pressure and overall wellbeing. Taking medications as prescribed can help create a safer foundation for exercise and recovery. Strong social connections can improve motivation, confidence, and long-term adherence to healthy habits.

Rather than one pillar being more important than another, it's often the combination of these interconnected areas that creates meaningful, lasting change.

At HeartWorks, we believe recovery is about more than just exercise sessions or individual lifestyle changes. It's about building a strong foundation across multiple areas of health that work together to support confidence, wellbeing, and long-term heart health.

Heart health is rarely determined by one choice. It's shaped by many small actions, repeated consistently, that collectively move you forward.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our second HeartWorks Education Evening of 2026. Last week’s session focused on ...
28/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our second HeartWorks Education Evening of 2026. Last week’s session focused on Living with Your Diagnosis (Beyond the First Year) — exploring some of the ongoing challenges, adjustments, and uncertainties that can continue well beyond the initial recovery period.

A key theme throughout the evening was the importance of understanding your own health, recognising changes early, and remaining actively engaged in your long-term wellbeing. Often, simply understanding why symptoms may be occurring can help reduce fear and build confidence.

Another important discussion centred around advocating for yourself, your partner, or your family when navigating healthcare and ongoing treatment. Having the confidence to ask questions and seek clarity is an important part of long-term care.

At Heartworks, we aim to support this process by providing objective data, exercise information, and clinically guided reporting to help support conversations around ongoing care and recovery.

If you were unable to attend the evening, or would like a recap, the recordings from the Education Evening are now available on HeartWorks Live.
Members: Log in to HeartWorks Live to watch.
Not a member? Join here: heartworks.nz/member-site-homepage-1

If you have any questions or need help accessing HeartWorks Live, please feel free to reach out to the team — we’re always happy to help ❤️

A thoughtful reflection from one of our clients — highlighting the importance of support, clinical oversight, and indivi...
26/05/2026

A thoughtful reflection from one of our clients — highlighting the importance of support, clinical oversight, and individualised care throughout the rehabilitation journey.

Recovery after a cardiac event is rarely straightforward. There are often uncertainties, setbacks, and “hiccups” along the way, which is why ongoing monitoring, guidance, and reassurance can make such a meaningful difference.

This client reflected on the value of having a team who not only followed their progress closely, but also recognised important changes. But beyond the clinical side, this feedback also speaks to the environment created through cardiac rehabilitation: one built on encouragement, consistency, and helping people feel supported as they rebuild confidence in themselves and their health.

We’re incredibly grateful for reflections like these and proud to support people through every stage of their recovery journey.

25/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our second HeartWorks Education Evening of 2026.

The theme for the evening was Living with Your Diagnosis (Beyond the First Year) — focusing on the realities of long-term heart health, ongoing recovery, and adapting to life after a cardiac event or diagnosis.

We were fortunate to hear from three experienced speakers across nutrition, vestibular rehabilitation, and cardiology:
• Emelia Ives spoke about the reality of long-term behaviour change and the importance of building sustainable habits that support health over time — especially when motivation, energy, and routine can shift after a cardiac event or diagnosis.
• Vanessa Simpson provided insight into vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders, helping attendees better understand symptoms that can often feel confusing or unsettling, and why understanding them matters.
• Alexander Sasse discussed what ongoing cardiac care may look like beyond the first year — including follow-up care, medications, monitoring, and the importance of individuals continuing to stay engaged with their long-term health.

One of the biggest themes throughout the evening was that recovery and heart health management do not stop after rehabilitation or a procedure. Education, confidence, movement, and ongoing support all play an important role in helping people continue to live well long-term.

These evenings are designed to provide more than just information. They create a space for people to continue learning, ask questions, share experiences, and feel supported throughout their recovery journey.

A big thank you again to everyone who attended and contributed to such an engaged and thoughtful evening ❤️

Loneliness and social isolation are not just emotional experiences — they are recognised health risk factors.A 2025 npj ...
20/05/2026

Loneliness and social isolation are not just emotional experiences — they are recognised health risk factors.

A 2025 npj Cardiovascular Health review of over 529,000 people with heart failure found that loneliness and social isolation are strongly associated with poorer health outcomes. These effects extend beyond heart failure and are also seen in conditions such as diabetes and cancer.

Why does this matter? Because recovery is not driven by physical health alone — social connection is a key part of overall wellbeing and long-term outcomes. Engaging in group rehabilitation and supportive community environments can improve consistency, confidence, and engagement in recovery. It helps people stay connected, feel supported, and continue building progress over time.

This is what we see every day at Heartworks — rehabilitation is not just exercise, it’s connection. Moving alongside others, sharing experiences, and rebuilding confidence as a community. When people feel supported and connected, recovery is stronger and more sustainable.

Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest ❤️The terms heart attack and cardiac arrest are often used interchangeably — but medicall...
18/05/2026

Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest ❤️

The terms heart attack and cardiac arrest are often used interchangeably — but medically, they are very different conditions.

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle becomes blocked, reducing oxygen supply to the myocardium. Symptoms can include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or pain radiating into the arm or jaw. During a heart attack, the heart usually continues beating.

A cardiac arrest, however, is an electrical problem. It occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping effectively due to a severe rhythm disturbance, causing an immediate loss of consciousness and absence of a pulse. Without urgent CPR and defibrillation, cardiac arrest is rapidly fatal.

Importantly, a heart attack can sometimes trigger a cardiac arrest, but the two are not the same condition. Understanding this distinction matters. Early recognition of symptoms, rapid emergency response, and access to appropriate treatment significantly influence outcomes in both situations.

Awareness improves response. And response saves lives.

Recovery is part of the training process too.Exercise creates stress on the body — but it’s during recovery that adaptat...
17/05/2026

Recovery is part of the training process too.

Exercise creates stress on the body — but it’s during recovery that adaptation actually occurs. Without adequate recovery, performance can decline, fatigue can accumulate, and the risk of injury or chronic “wear and tear” increases.

This is why balancing training with rest and recovery is so important. Recovery allows muscles to repair, the nervous system to reset, and the body to adapt to the work being done.

Importantly, recovery does not always mean doing nothing. Active recovery — such as light movement, walking, mobility work, or low-intensity exercise — can help promote circulation, reduce stiffness, and support the recovery process without adding excessive strain.

Progress is not built from training alone. It comes from the combination of appropriate challenge, consistency, and recovery over time. Sometimes training smarter means recognising when the body needs recovery just as much as it needs intensity.

14/05/2026

This May, the Heartworks team has been taking part in the Heart Foundation NZ MyMarathon — committing to move with purpose while supporting life-saving heart research here in New Zealand.

We're only halfway and so far, the Heartworks community has:
✔ Raised $1,343.50 for the Heart Foundation NZ
✔ Covered over 347km through walking, jogging, and running throughout May

A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed so far — whether through fundraising, movement, encouragement, or support behind the scenes.

At Heartworks, we see firsthand the impact that cardiovascular disease has on individuals, families, workplaces, and communities. It remains the leading cause of death in New Zealand, but it is also an area where prevention, education, exercise, rehabilitation, and research can make a meaningful difference. That’s one of the reasons this challenge resonates so strongly with us.

MyMarathon is not about speed or performance. It reflects many of the same principles we focus on in cardiac rehabilitation every day: consistency, gradual progress, building confidence, and creating sustainable long-term habits. Small efforts, repeated consistently over time, can have a significant impact on long-term health outcomes.

We’ve loved seeing people come together around a shared goal while supporting a cause that affects so many New Zealanders.

And there’s still time to get involved. Whether you walk, jog, run, donate, or simply support someone participating — every step counts, every dollar helps, and every bit of support matters ❤️

https://www.mymarathon.co.nz/fundraisers/heartworks/mymarathon-2026

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202 Thorndon Quay
Wellington
6011

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Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 7pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 7pm
Thursday 9:30am - 7pm

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