DHA smart clinic discusses prevention of cardiovascular diseases to mark World Heart Day 2015.

• In the UAE, one in four deaths can be attributed to heart diseases.
• Heart attacks take place  ten years earlier than in many western countries.
• According to Rashid Hospital statistics, approximately 50 per cent of those with heart attacks are smokers.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 3, 2015: Dubai Health Authority(DHA) doctors took part today  in the smart clinic to discuss ways to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) to mark World Heart Day 2015.

Information was disseminated via DHA’s Twitter page( DHA_Dubai) Instagram and periscope.

According to World Heart Federation, globally heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women, and in the UAE one in four deaths are attributed to heart attacks. It is estimated that 17 million deaths per year are due to cardiovascular diseases and by 2030 this number will increase to 30 million, if urgent action is not taken.

Dr Fahd Baslaib, head of cardiology at Rashid Hospital said: “ Fifty per cent of the patients who are admitted to Rashid Hospital due to heart attacks are smokers. That’s one in two patients. The number reflects the strong link between tobacco and heart attacks. Compared to others, smokers carry up to four times the risk of getting a heart attack.”

He added that according to the World Heart Federation, six million people who die because of cardiovascular diseases are direct or second-hand smokers. By 2030, this number is expected to rise to eight million.

He said that studies have shown that in the Middle-East region, the average age for patients with heart attacks is at least ten years younger than in many western countries. “The reason for such  high prevalence of heart diseases in the UAE can be attributed to the high percentage of risk factors facing the population. We have a high percentage of people with diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure,” said Al Baslaib.

According to Rashid Hospital statistics, since 2011 to June 2015, the cardiology department  has received 8516 admissions, of these 3982 were heart attack cases.

The number of heart attacks cases has increased year-on-year.

In 2011, the hospital admitted 681 people with heart attacks, in  2012  it was 636,  in 2013 it increased to 833 and in 2014, the increased to 1200 patients. In 2015, until the month of June, the hospital has already admitted 632 heart attack cases.

Al Baslaib said that in 2014,  the hospital carried out 1700 angiograms and 700 angioplasties. The hospital used the latest TAVI technique for 50 patients. “ We estimated that we would use this technology for 10 patients a year but we needed to use it for 50 patients,” said Al Baslaib.

In terms of outpatient visits to the cardiology department, since  2011 to June 2015, the department has recorded 25,261 patient visits.

He said in addition to tobacco use, a majority of the patients have one or more lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.

Riham Salim, and Marlene Marsh who are dieticians at Rashid Hospital highlighted during the smart clinic the direct link between unhealthy eating and lifestyle diseases.

Marsh said: “ The good news is that these diseases can be prevented or controlled through diet and lifestyle changes. However, the challenge we face is that people approach us, once they already have these diseases.”

Dr Mohamed Al Raqabani, cardiologist at Rashid Hospital highlighted the importance of exercise. He said: “ Exercise is vital for prevention of coronary heart disease. This applies to healthy as well as unhealthy individuals. Exercise is both a primary and secondary form of prevention, this means that exercise is important for healthy individuals as well as those who have had a heart attack. Exercise helps control a host of lifestyle diseases including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure,  all of which are factors that can lead to heart diseases.”

Al Raqabani said the bare minimum amount of exercise for an individual is 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week.

Al Raqabani advocated the importance of regular screening and said that the first screening should begin at 20 years of age and should include blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid profile and BMI screening. If any of the results are abnormal, screening  should be frequent. If  the results are normal, cholesterol needs to be screened once every five years and blood pressure every two years.

According to DHA cardiologists, after the age of 35, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure should be tested at least once every year because in this region heart diseases occur at a younger age. If results are abnormal,  screening should be more frequent.

Dr Iman Ibrahim, cardiologist at Dubai Hospital said that modifiable risk factors include hypertension (high blood pressure), tobacco use, raised blood glucose (diabetes), physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, cholesterol/lipids, overweight and obesity. “The modifiable risk factors for heart diseases are mainly related to lifestyle changes and if implemented, the risk to develop heart diseases reduces significantly.”

Box:
Heart healthy foods include:  Foods low in fat and cholesterol, fish and skinless chicken or turkey, low-fat dairy products, brown rice and bread, unsalted and unroasted nuts including almonds and walnuts, flax seeds, substitute butter and ghee with olive oil.

Substitute your white bread and flour with brown bread and brown flour. 

Limit the intake of sweets and fried foods to protect your heart.