HMC's Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme Improves Survival And Quality Of Life: Expert

Doha, Qatar: Cardiac rehabilitation programmes offered by Hamad Medical Corporation are helping improve survival rates, reduce hospital readmissions, and enhance quality of life for patients recovering from heart conditions, according to a senior cardiology expert.

Senior Consultant Adult Cardiology, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation, and Director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at Heart Hospital, Dr. Mohammed Al Hashemi told The Peninsula that the model implemented at HMC follows internationally recognised guidelines and offers patients a comprehensive pathway to recovery beyond traditional follow-up care.

“Cardiac rehabilitation services in HMC are based on international guidelines that suggest that cardiac rehabilitation reduces mortality and readmission rates, and improves quality of life, compared to traditional follow-up care,” Dr. Al Hashemi said.

The rehabilitation services are provided through the Heart Hospital, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, and The Cuban Hospital. The structured programmes are available for patients aged 14 years and above and combine endurance and resistance training, lifestyle and nutritional counselling, patient education, and psychological support.

Dr. Al Hashemi explained that patients considered high-risk, particularly those with very low exercise capacity, often experience the greatest improvements through rehabilitation.

“Patients at high risk have the potential to benefit the most, as cardiac rehabilitation can improve exercise capacity,” he said.

He added that each patient undergoes a detailed multidisciplinary assessment before enrolment to ensure individualised care plans.

“A comprehensive multi-disciplinary assessment is conducted prior to enrollment, which produces the treatment goals for each patient.

These goals are then discussed with the patient and are tailored to patient preferences and needs,” Dr. Al Hashemi said.

Patients also have the flexibility to choose between in-person and remote services for most aspects of care.

According to Dr. Al Hashemi, many cardiac patients can safely begin rehabilitation within three weeks of leaving hospital following a cardiac episode.

“Most patients can safely start the program within three weeks of hospital discharge,” he said.

He stressed that psychological wellbeing and lifestyle habits play a major role in determining cardiovascular outcomes.

“Psychological wellbeing components, such as depression, anxiety, and social isolation can worsen cardiovascular disease via physiological and behavioural pathways,” he explained.

“Lifestyle components, such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet are traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and they all worsen its progression.”

Dr. Al Hashemi highlighted the importance of teamwork across specialties in ensuring successful rehabilitation outcomes.

“Cardiac rehabilitation is, by definition, a multidisciplinary service,” he said, noting that cardiology, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics, occupational therapy, psychology, pharmacy, and nursing all work together to address the multiple risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

“The coordination of all disciplines, typically through regular team meetings, is paramount for the provision of high-quality cardiac rehabilitation services,” he added.

Encouraging patients not to delay rehabilitation, Dr. Al Hashemi emphasised the safety and benefits of the programme.

“Cardiac rehabilitation, especially in HMC, is a safe service that improves patients' life,” he said.“All cardiac patients can and should participate in cardiac rehabilitation.”

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