Cardiac Rehabilitation

Patients with disorders of the cardiovascular system may be limited in endurance and performance of activities involved in every day living.  Occupational Therapy in cardiac rehabilitation services aims to restore functional ability enabling the patient to be as independent as possible in their everyday lives while recovering from illness or surgery or adapting to disability.

An occupational therapist, in conjunction with other team members will help determine what activities patient can safely perform and how to modify activities to decrease the amount of energy required. This is important in achieving the maximum result from limited exercise capacity.

What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that helps improve the health and well-being of people who have heart problems. Studies have shown that rehabilitation programs including exercise training, education on heart healthy living and counselling to reduce stress and helps improve psychological well-being and overall quality of life.

Conditions which may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation includes:

• Heart attack
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart failure
• Chest pain (angina)
• Cardiomyopathy
• Certain congenital heart diseases
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Angioplasty and stents
• Heart or lung transplant
• Heart valve repair or replacements

Occupational Therapy Service within Cardiac Rehabilitation is provided in different areas of Heart Hospital:

• Coronary Intensive Care Unit
• Cardio Thoracic Intensive Care
• Cardiac High Dependency Units
• Day Care Unit

Our Occupational Therapists may offer patients:

• Physical, psychological, emotional and social assessments.
• Stress and anxiety awareness and management, both on a one-to-one and group work basis
• Relaxation sessions, on a one-to-one or group basis
• Advice on pacing yourself and energy conservation
• Goal setting and time management
• Getting involved in hobbies and leisure occupations
• Assessment of equipment, aids and adaptations
• Return to work and future employment advice and support

Occupational Therapy Role in Cardiac Rehabilitation Phases

Phase I (Inpatient)

• Safe level of activities post cardiac condition
• Energy Conservation Techniques during ADL
• Stress management Techniques

Phase II (Outpatient)

• Return to work
•  Stress management and relaxation techniques
• Making necessary lifestyle changes to rebalance work, self-care, rest and sleep, and leisure domains of activities.

Phase III (In the community)

• Maintenance phase

OT staff in Cardiac Rehabilitation

We have four Occupational Therapy staff all certified with British Association of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, led by  Mr. Menandro Mahinay  as an OT specialist  and one support staff.

Additional Information
For more information please contact Mr.Menandro Mahinay at mmahinay@hamad.qa
Telephone: 44395891
the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department is located at the ground floor Outpateints Department of Heart Hospital
Telephone: 44395653