ABSTRACT
Background: Cardiac rehabilitation has long been known to be an integral part of the recovery process following cardiac surgery, with the intention to improve exercise capacity, minimize complications, and improve the general quality of life. Although it has been evidenced that its use has beneficial effects; variations in patient compliance and clinical outcomes existed in populations, and therefore, should be further evaluated among local healthcare facilities.
Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of a structured cardiac rehabilitation program on clinical outcomes, functional performance, and quality of life in patients after heart surgery.
Methods: This study was carried out at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, over a period of one year from June 2024 to May 2025. In all, 80 post–heart surgery patients had been recruited. The participants had been enrolled in a structured program of cardiac rehabilitation, including supervised exercise training, lifestyle modification counseling, nutritional guidance and psychological support. The data were obtained from the clinical evaluation, the exercise tolerance test and the standardized questionnaires at baseline and after the end of the rehabilitation program. Stats used to analyze statistical significance of improvement of functional status, complications, and overall patient reported results.
Results: It was found that among the patients participating at the cardiac rehabilitation program there were significant improvements in exercise tolerance reaching an average approximately 28% increase in functional capacity with respect to the basal level. Quality of life scores had significantly improved in physical, psychological, and social areas. The risk of postoperative complication (arrhythmias, re-hospitalization) was also significantly reduced in those with rehabilitation by 18%. The patients had far better compliance with lifestyle modification and medications as well.
CONCLUSION: The study concluded that CR played a significant role in improving recovery following heart surgery. It not only increased functional patient results and quality of life, but also lessened postoperative complications and promoted general patient health. These results indicated the necessity for incorporating well-structured cardiac rehabilitation programs as a part of routine care for cardiac patients undergoing surgery in Pakistan.
Keywords: Cardiac rehabilitation, heart surgery, functional outcomes, quality of life, post-operative complications, patient recovery.