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Experts to focus on ways to reduce heart diseases

DUBAI — Two major conferences on heart diseases will be hosted by Dubai this month. The first conference focussing on 'A New Era for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction' will open under the patronage of the UAE Minister of Health Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami tomorow.

Supported by an educational grant from Pfizer, the two-day conference is being organised by Harvard Medical School, Dubai and is set to provide one of the most comprehensive pictures of the global risks posed by cardiovascular diseases and the new measures required to reduce their impact.

Leading specialists from the Harvard Medical School faculty and other internationally recognised experts will attend the event.

The conference will provide an important platform to analyse new international studies on the advances in the management of heart diseases, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking cessation, as well as offering important new research on local challenges and potential solutions.

New research from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, and the University of Liverpool, UK, suggest that globally, after decades of decline, deaths due to heart disease appear to have levelled off among young men and may be increasing among young women.

Researchers believe this is likely due to poor health habits and the growing number of young people who are overweight or obese.

The news is particularly concerning for medical experts working in the Middle East, where evidence suggests that the prevalence of mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular illnesses has increased.

"We are entering a new era in our efforts to reduce the risks associated with cardiovascular diseases because, on one hand, we are more able to diagnose, treat and prevent the most prevalent conditions," said Gilbert Mudge, course organiser and member of the Harvard Faculty, who will be attending the conference.

"Pfizer is a long-term partner of Harvard Medical School, in line with our role of helping drive research and treatment updates," said Dr Ahmed El Hakim, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Pfizer Middle East.

The Dubai International Heart Conference and Exhibition, Dubai Cardiac 2007, is another important conference to be held from December 10 to12 and is expected to be attended by nearly 500 heart specialists from all over the world.

Qadi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director-General of Dubai Health Authority said, "This medical and scientific conference and exhibition has received the support of Dubai Health Authority on the light of the recent and on going development of the health and medical services provided by this vitally important sector."