Weightlifter Kept Training While Awaiting New Heart Thanks to Artificial Heart Pump

Khaleel Hopes to Change Young Men’s Attitudes Following His Heart Transplant at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

Khaleel Al Herani is on a mission to set an example for young men experiencing heart disease following his successful transplant at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of Mubadala healthcare’s network.

Despite suffering from advanced heart failure and awaiting a transplant, Khaleel remained committed to his weight-lifting routine for almost two years while awaiting a new heart, made possible by an artificial heart pump installed by surgeons at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He is keen to challenge the popular image of heart disease patients, raise awareness of organ donation and inspire young men in particular to take better care of themselves and be more open to discussing their health and any challenges they face.

“I always thought I was invincible; I’m young and I’ve always kept in shape. It was very hard for me to accept my heart diagnosis. Before my transplant, I would have dark days or panic attacks when I overthought things, but my wife was there to pick me up. I’ve realized that opening up about health challenges is an important part of overcoming them. I hope that I can inspire people, especially men, to speak up around their health issues and to really consider organ donation. I think that can only be a positive step for my generation,” says Khaleel.It was in July 2018 that Khaleel, a 35-year-old Jordanian property manager in Dubai and avid weightlifter, began experiencing chest discomfort while in his office. After visiting a doctor, he was told tests showed an enlargement of his heart and that he should take a break from his training before coming back for further tests. Khaleel took his doctor’s advice. However, it wasn’t long before he was back at the gym.

“I remember my doctor explained the issue to me in a very friendly way so that I wouldn’t get worried. What I didn’t realize at the time was that he was telling me I was in the early stages of heart failure. Four days after seeing the doctor, I felt I was going crazy without the gym, so I went back to lifting. I ignored the whole thing and honestly, I felt fine. After a while, I forgot about the episode with my heart,” says Khaleel.

Khaleel didn’t experience any more symptoms until February of the following year. As his heart function decreased, fluid began to build up in his lungs, a condition called pulmonary edema. The fluid made breathing more difficult to the point that walking up a flight of stairs would make Khaleel uncomfortable.

“It slowed me down. Still, I avoided the doctor until one night when I couldn’t sleep because my breathing was so difficult. I hadn’t connected my breathing problems to my heart at all. But when the doctor referred me to a cardiologist, I remembered the episode the year before. That’s when I got really scared,” says Khaleel.

In 2019, recognizing how advanced Khaleel’s heart failure had become, he was referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s first and only multi-organ transplant center. Upon arrival, doctors determined that, given the scarcity of donor hearts, installing a left ventricular assistance device would greatly improve Khaleel’s condition and enable him to live a normal life while he waited for a heart transplant.

“Khaleel came to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi at a time when his condition was worsening significantly, and it was clear that he was in urgent need of a heart transplant. Thanks to advances in technology, an artificial heart pump gave him a fantastic quality of life and more time while we waited for a new heart to become available,” says Dr. Feras Bader, director of the heart failure and transplant program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Following the operation, Khaleel’s condition greatly improved. He was able to return to work and regular exercise once again. He continued to visit Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi regularly to manage his condition, and on visits that required him to stay overnight, he would bring equipment so that he could work out in his hospital room.

“Khaleel really shatters the traditional image of a heart disease patient. When you looked at him, you would never think he was a man with a heart problem. He is young, energetic, and looks like an athlete. We saw a total transformation in him since installing his heart pump,” continues Dr. Bader.

It was during a routine stay at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi that Khaleel got news that would change his life again. A donor heart had become available that was a match for him. Already at the hospital, his care team leapt into action, performing final checks and preparing him for surgery.

“The stars really aligned for Khaleel. He was about to be discharged when we got word that there was a heart available for him. In these situations, time is of the essence so having him close by was fantastic. The surgery went very well, and I’m pleased to say he is making a fantastic recovery. Knowing Khaleel, I’m sure he will go from strength to strength,” says Dr. Gurjyot Bajwa, Surgical Director Mechanical Circulatory Support and Heart Transplantation at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi who led the surgery.

Reflecting on his recent health challenges, Khaleel is committed to using them as fuel for the next chapter in his life.

“I’ve really been through a lot these last couple of years. I really want to thank the team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, meeting them really changed my mindset. When I think about life now, I’m just so grateful for everything that life has to offer. Sometimes challenges are put there for us to learn from and achieve something greater. That’s my plan now,” concludes Khaleel.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is running a campaign to encourage men to be more open about their health. The hospital is encouraging men who experience symptoms to ‘MENtion It’ to a doctor. The campaign aims to encourage men to break the silence about their health and get regular check-ups, helping them detect health problems before they lead to further complications.

To find out more about men’s health challenges and how to approach them, visit mention-it.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae