Heart rate measures the global stress that we’re under. That stress can be training stress, heat stress, altitude, career, personal, etc.

But I’m afraid it’s just a global measurement of the total internal load. The pieces that add to that total won’t help us adapt to the others.

My guess is… yes and no.

The heat stress will help you adapt to heat stress. But I don’t think the change in heart rate due to heat is going to have any aerobic benefit.

It’s better to think in terms of stimulus and response. What’s the stimulus? What’s the likely response?

If it’s a heat stimulus, you’ll adapt to heat. If it’s an altitude stimulus, you’ll adapt to altitude. If it’s an aerobic stimulus, you’ll have aerobic adaptations.

All of the above will effect a change in heart rate. But not all changes in heart rate have an aerobic benefit.