Dubai Health Authority marks World Heart Day 2013

Lifestyle modification urgent need to prevent young adults from heart attacks.

In 2012, Rashid Hospital  cardiology department received 1500 cases, of these 900 patients were admitted due to heart attacks. 

33 per cent of patients admitted in Rashid Hospital's cardiology department in 2012 are between 41 to 50 years.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, 30 September, 2013:  His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority(DHA), inaugurated today the DHA's World Heart Day campaign 2013, at the DHA headquarters.

The campaign is aimed to reach out to the public to educate them about the importance of lifestyle modifications to avoid developing cardiovascular disease( CVD). The campaign is in line with the World Heart Federation's global campaign to mark World Heart Day 2013.

Adopting this year's global theme:  ‘A life-course approach to the prevention and control of CVD with a focus on women and children', the authority is educating the public about the importance of inculcating healthy habits in children.

Al Maidoor said: “Preventive healthcare is an important aspect of the Dubai Health Strategy 2013-2025 and health education plays a vital role. Globally, CVD is known to be the leading cause of mortality and eighty per cent of premature deaths due to CVD are preventable if people follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid tobacco and undertake regular health screenings. Therefore, awareness campaigns to reach out to the public are essential; especially to tackle lifestyle related diseases. Keeping this year's  global theme in mind, it is important that adult family members recognise the need to adopt healthier lifestyles as their choices influence children. Inculcating healthier habits among children from a young age, ensures a higher likelihood that they will carry these habits into adulthood, which in turn  ensures a healthier future generation.”

As part of this campaign, DHA cardiologists and specialists conducted free tests for blood sugar, blood pressure, BMI, full lipid profile and HBAIC(3 month average blood sugar test.) After the results of the test are obtained, DHA physicians provide free consultation for visitors. The campaign, will take place for one week across different venues in Dubai including hospitals and labour camps to reach out to the community.

Dr Fahad Baslaib, Head of the Cardiology Department at Rashid Hospital said:  “There is no doubt that a majority of the cases of CVDs can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle and avoiding tobacco. We find that a significant number of young people are being admitted in our hospitals for CVDs. As per 2012 statistics, 1500 people were admitted to Rashid Hospital for CVDs, and out of these, more than 900 people were admitted due to heart attacks. Thirty-three per cent of these patients are between 41 to 50 years, while 32 per cent are between 51 to 60 years.

“ We see a significant number of young people suffering from heart attacks and this is dangerous trend. We have to work together as a community to tackle this issue.”

He added: “Our registries have a significant number of patients in their early 30s and 40s with heart attacks- this figure is ten years younger than the average global age.  This in itself should be a call for people to realise the importance of taking care of their health.”

Dr Obaid Al Jassim, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon and Head of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department at Dubai Hospital seconded this opinion and said: “ Lifestyle modification is an urgent need.  The UAE has a high prevalence of diabetes, obesity and hypertension –all factors that can trigger heart attacks. Given these statistics and the fact that people are still hooked-on to unhealthy foods and do not exercise regularly, we have an issue at hand and everyone needs to take responsibility so that we  can have a healthier society.”

Dr Baslaib 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.

Dr Nooshin Bazargani, Cardiologist at Dubai Hospital said that 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.

The DHA will carry out free comprehensive screenings to mark World Heart Day 2013.  Dubai Hospital conducted its screening yesterday and the other screenings will take place on the1st of October at Rashid Hospital, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on 7th and 8th October at Sonapur and Al Quoz labour camps.