Effectiveness of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Improving Functional Performance Among Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure

Abstract

Background: The Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) and Prevention Program is an integrated model of care aligning with the Saudi Health Transformation plan and Vision 2030 goals. The CR program aims to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after an acute cardiac event, including heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 45%. This study evaluated the impact of structured cardiac rehabilitation sessions on functional capacity (METs).

Methods: A retrospective review of the CR database from 2024-2025 included patients with CAD, who had reduced LVEF less than 45%. Pre- and post-program functional capacity (METs) were compared to assess the effect of the intervention.

Results: Total number of patients enrolled in CR program 204 from 2024–2025. A total number of patients with LVEF < 45% were 122 (60%). Of all participants 74 (36%) completed the exercise session. The cardiac risk factor were targets improved as following HbA1c 106 (52%), LDL 129 (63%), and BMI 81 (40%). For patients with HF with LVEF < 45%, 22 (18%) patients completed exercise sessions. For total patients 62 (84%) improved their METs from 5.1 to 7.  For the HF patients the METs improved from 4.4 to 6.7 .For all patients enrolled in CR program, none of these patients had readmission for HF and 2 () patients has readmission for acute coronary syndrome.

Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation program proved both safe and effective in patients with ischemic heart disease and heart failure. The structured rehabilitation can reduce the HF related admissions.