Functional role

What is the role of cardiovascular rehabilitation at NASSER Centre?

We focus on the functional and physical side of recovery: rebuilding an exercise capacity compatible with daily life, returning gradually to walking and activities, improving endurance and strength, and learning to monitor the body’s response to exertion.

This care does not replace cardiology follow-up or, when indicated, a comprehensive multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation programme. It fits within the wider care pathway and follows the recommendations of the medical team.

Situations in which functional rehabilitation may be considered

  • After an acute coronary syndrome or myocardial infarction, angioplasty/stent, cardiac or valve surgery, once exercise has been medically cleared.
  • Stable heart failure or another cardiac condition when exercise is recommended and the clinical situation is compatible.
  • Deconditioning after hospitalisation, illness or a period of inactivity.
  • Difficulty returning safely to walking, daily activities or the person’s usual level of exertion.
Before starting

Returning to exercise needs preparation

We review the information needed to plan safely: the cardiac event or diagnosis, recent procedures, medical restrictions, symptoms, comorbidities and factors that may alter the response to exercise.

1

Medical coordination
Referral, report or instructions from the doctor/cardiologist when required.

2

Clinical stability
A condition that may worsen with exercise should be assessed, treated or have the exercise component adapted before training.

3

Additional assessment when indicated
An exercise test or another medical assessment may be requested by the treating team before progression.

Functional assessment

What we assess before dosing exercise

  • Symptoms at rest and with exertion: chest pain or pressure, breathlessness, fatigue, dizziness and palpitations.
  • Heart rate and blood pressure when relevant, together with the response to exertion and recovery.
  • Functional capacity: walking, usual activities, endurance, strength and perceived exertion, using an appropriate test when indicated.
  • Goals, independence, risk factors, comorbidities and musculoskeletal limitations that may change the programme.

There is no single target heart rate or exercise intensity that suits everyone. Progression is individualized according to the medical record, symptoms, functional capacity and tolerance.

Sessions

What may the programme include?

01

Warm-up and recovery

Gradual increase and decrease in intensity while observing the clinical response.

02

Aerobic endurance

Walking, cycling or another suitable modality, with duration and intensity progressed according to tolerance.

03

Strength training

Progressive resistance work adapted to capacity, precautions and functional goals.

04

Self-monitoring

Learning to recognise perceived exertion, unusual symptoms and signs that mean slow down, stop, or seek medical advice.

Safety

When should exercise stop and medical advice be sought?

Stop exercise and report any new, unusual or significant symptom promptly.

!Chest pain, pressure, tightness or burning.
!Unusual, marked or rapidly worsening shortness of breath.
!Light-headedness, confusion, faintness or near-fainting.
!Fast or irregular palpitations associated with feeling unwell or other symptoms.
!Sudden disproportionate fatigue or an unusual fall in exercise tolerance.
!New symptoms at rest or a recent deterioration from the usual condition.

Chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes, especially with sweating, nausea, faintness or shortness of breath, requires urgent medical assessment. Do not wait for a rehabilitation appointment.

Frequently asked questions

What to know before starting

Do I need a prescription or cardiology advice?

For a known or recent cardiac condition, we require enough medical information to make exercise progression safe. Depending on the situation, a referral, report, restrictions or an exercise test may be needed.

Is this the same as a full cardiac rehabilitation programme?

No. NASSER Centre can provide the functional and physical rehabilitation component within a coordinated pathway. Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation also includes, according to guidelines, medical supervision and other components such as risk-factor management, education, nutrition and psychosocial support.

Do age or other illnesses automatically prevent rehabilitation?

No. Age or comorbidity alone is not an automatic reason for exclusion. The programme still needs to be adapted to clinical risk, frailty, symptoms and functional ability.

How many sessions are needed?

There is no single number for everyone. Frequency and duration are decided after assessment and adjusted according to goals, progress and the medical context.

Directly relevant service

Physiotherapy

The functional, physical and therapeutic-exercise component described on this page falls within physiotherapy; by itself, it does not constitute a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programme and remains part of a medically coordinated pathway.

PTPhysiotherapy→
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Important

Safety comes before progression

A session should be postponed and medical advice sought if there are new symptoms at rest, recent clinical worsening, acute systemic illness, or if a medical condition that could worsen with exercise is not stable.

Outside an emergency, you can request a functional assessment after medical clearance or coordination when this is needed.

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