Exercise Helps the Heart and the Mind. But It Needs to Be Done Under the Right Guidance.

Exercise Helps the Heart and the Mind. But It Needs to Be Done Under the Right Guidance.

People with coronary artery disease don’t just face problems with their heart — anxiety and depression are much more common in this group. A large 2025 study examined 36 clinical trials and over 3,500 patients to see whether exercise helps, and whether it matters how it’s done.

The results were clear: exercise improved quality of life and significantly reduced anxiety and depression. However, these benefits were only seen when exercise was carried out under supervision and with proper guidance. Interestingly, the type of exercise (high-intensity or moderate) mattered far less than guidance, structure, and human interaction.

It is therefore very important that, after a cardiac event, exercise takes place in supervised sessions, which not only help the heart, but also meaningfully support mental health.

Reference:
Toval A, et al. Eur Heart J. 2025;46:2186–2201. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae870