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Is it safe for children with heart disease to exercise?

Yes, when exercise is guided by a physician. A number of studies on heart disease and exercise show that it can be done safely; and it can improve the health of your child’s heart and body and increase abilities in their daily lives. Studies also show that exercise can be safe for children who have received corrective heart surgery or heart transplant. For example, physicians on our team conducted a , showing that a fitness program improved not only physical strength and ability, but also muscular and vascular (vein and artery) health. However, your doctor and our team may rule out certain exercises for your child, depending on the disease and its severity. 

Is this program a weight loss program?

No, weight loss is not the focus of our program. Our goal is to improve your child’s strength and flexibility so they can live a higher quality of life, and to help establish a safe, healthy exercise program for your child with heart disease to use and expand on throughout life. With that said, the result of our program can lead to weight loss.

My child is afraid to exercise. Can you help?

Yes, we integrate emotional support and mental health care into the program through the Moore Children’s Heart Center’s Thrive Program. At each session, your child will learn different mindfulness skills to decrease anxiety and increase positive self-talk around exercise. We focus on helping children to increase confidence in themselves and their bodies.

My child is very weak. Does that mean she is not a candidate?

No. There are many levels of exercise to help build your child’s strength. We will fully evaluate your child to determine if she qualifies for our program, and if so, we’ll design just the right exercises for her. Our program isn’t only about helping your child exercise; it is also about helping them improve the quality of their life. For example, we recently helped a patient reach the simple goal of opening a jar on her own.

How unique is the Young Hearts in Motion program?

Exercise programs offered to children with heart disease in their homes as part of their clinical care rather than during a hospital stay are not common. With our program, we open up our care to many of our heart patients, not just those staying with us. There are only a handful of robust research-based heart exercise programs like ours in the country, and just a few on the West Coast. Ours is the first in California.

Which children with heart disease benefit most from the program?

Our program is designed for children with congenital heart disease or acquired heart disease (heart disease that starts after birth), as well as for those who want to prevent heart disease. It is especially helpful for children who live sedentary lifestyles or experience physical debilitation and want to improve their quality of life or increase confidence in their physical abilities. Those recovering from surgery or a heart procedure also greatly benefit.

Is there an ideal time to start the exercise program?

If your child is awaiting heart surgery, a good time to start this outpatient program is after completing inpatient rehabilitation. Otherwise, your child is welcome to explore starting with us at any time.