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Heart Lab

Heart Lab

By: Heart Lab
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About this listen

Heart Lab is a research venture dedicated to studying the effects of exercise on the heart to better understand heart disease. Backed by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, St Vincent’s Institute, and St Vincent’s Hospital, our team consists of PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and international collaborators from Belgium and Spain.

Our research focuses on using elite athletes—often considered the "F1 engines" of the human body—to gain insights into heart function. These findings not only help us better understand and address heart rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac death, and other serious cardiovascular conditions, but also translate into practical applications for the general public.

By bridging the gap between athletic performance and heart health, we aim to develop strategies that benefit everyone, from those looking to optimise their fitness to individuals managing heart disease.

Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Everything You Need to Know About VO2 Max
    Jun 9 2025

    In this episode, we dive deep into the science of VO2 max with internationally renowned sports cardiologist Professor André La Gerche. From wearable tech to elite endurance, we explore the myths, metrics, and meaningful takeaways around one of the most talked-about fitness indicators.

    • Is My Watch Accurate?
      How reliable are consumer VO2 max readings, and what should you look for in the data?

    • Capacity vs. Efficiency
      VO2 max isn’t just about your lungs — what does it really measure, and does it mean you have a larger or stronger heart?

    • Ventilatory Threshold vs. VO2 Max
      Why your ventilatory (or lactate) threshold may be a more practical measure of performance than VO2 max alone.

    • Lessons from the Sub-2 Hour Marathon
      What the historic attempt taught us about oxygen uptake, training zones, and human potential.

    • Longevity and VO2 Max
      Does a higher VO2 max translate into a longer life? We discuss what the research says about fitness, ageing, and disease risk.

    • Building vs. Losing VO2 Max
      How to improve your VO2 max through training — and how quickly it can decline without it.

    Whether you’re a weekend warrior, elite athlete, or health enthusiast, this episode discusses the science and practical applications of VO2 max in a clear, evidence-based conversation.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    30 mins
  • If you have a finite number of heartbeats, why waste them?
    Apr 2 2025

    Does exercise "waste" heartbeats?

    Can you use up your heartbeats by exercising? Is there a smart way to manage them?

    Professor André La Gerche breaks down what we know—whether exercise actually "spends" your heartbeats, how to use them wisely, and what the latest research says.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    26 mins
  • Sudden Cardiac Death | Prof André La Gerche
    Mar 4 2025

    Every year, Sudden Cardiac Death claims the lives of 500 Victorians under 50—three to four times more than road accidents. In this episode, we explore the causes, risk factors, and misconceptions of Cardiac Arrests, Sudden Cardiac Death, and Heart Failure. We dive into the role of genetics, the challenges of screening, and what family screening looks like for those with a history of cardiac arrest. Plus, we break down the critical importance of CPR and defibrillation, the complex relationship between exercise and heart health.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    44 mins

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