Hospital launches free “Healthy Heart Wellness Programme” in Ras Al Khaimah

In order to create a support system for cardiac patients and help them manage their condition better, RAK Hospital has launched a free “Healthy Heart Wellness Programme” for the UAE residents at the hospital premises. The programme aims to educate and counsel patients recovering from heart attacks, angioplasty, stenting and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), while introducing them to physical activity that can help them prevent recurrent cardiac issues. This is a comprehensive programme where the patient will be counselled by dieticians, nutritionists, doctors and therapists for the best possible outcome.

The personalised programme guides patients in understanding their heart condition and physiology, educating them on exercises that are best suited for their condition, heart healthy nutrition, medication, stress management, weight loss, smoking cessation, cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes management. Moreover, it helps the patients learn how to exercise safely, improve stamina and strengthen muscles. Each patient’s exercise programme is based on his/her abilities, needs and interest.

In the UAE, nearly 30 percent of the population suffers from heart diseases, counted as one of the biggest causes of death.

As per American Heart Association, around one in five people who have suffered a heart attack will have a recurrent attack within the next five years. Another research indicates that cardiac wellness and recovery programmes can reduce chances of a repeat heart attack by 47 percent, whereas 42 percent of the patients are less likely to die within an average of eight years. Studies have also endorsed that such programmes reduce the chance of death by heart attack or bypass surgery by 20 percent to 30 percent.

“Any cardiac event is a life changing experience in the life of an individual, not to mention traumatic,” said Dr Mukesh Nathani, Medical Director and Head of Department of Cardiac Sciences at RAK Hospital, “Often, cardiac patients are at a loss on how to deal with it, particularly when it comes to changing dietary habits, starting exercise programmes and managing risk factors. They either tackle them with far too much enthusiasm, breaking the momentum mid-way, or lapsing into their previous lifestyle without even trying. One of the biggest challenges many of them face is how to quit smoking. Keeping all these in view, the “Healthy Heart Wellness Programme” at RAK Hospital has taken a proactive approach to help patients recover and manage the disease.”

Besides giving a fresh start to life, the programme aims to help strengthen a patient’s body after a cardiac event, reduce stress, cope with depression and enhance mood, relieve symptoms of heart problems and regulate medication, among other benefits.

Commenting on the new programme, Dr Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director of RAK Hospital, said: “At RAK Hospital, we are constantly trying to find new ways and means to ease life for UAE residents. We are firm believers in disease management and lifestyle enhancement and this latest venture once again aims to improve quality of life for patients suffering from a chronic disease, in this case cardiac issues. I hope that more and more people will avail this opportunity and make the best of their condition”.