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Take care of your heart, live longer
DUBAI - As incidence of ischemic heart disease slowly decreases in the United States and stabilises in Europe,
Incidence of the disease in developing countries, UAE included, are rising at an alarming rate, according to Professor Muscat Baron, Clinical Dean at the Dubai Medical College and Consultant Cardiologist at Dubai Hospital.
At a Press conference held to mark World Heart Day, Prof Baron pointed to a steady increase in mortality due to heart disease in the UAE and other developing countries. He said that surviving a heart attack is not the happy ending many imagine it to be, as the heart suffers irreparable damage. In fact, 25 per cent of those who survive a heart attack die within one year, while 50 per cent of heart attack victims die within the first hour of the attack.
"The purpose of this event is to highlight the importance of the burden of heart disease and vascular disease on health globally and to point out ways in which these common and serious diseases can be prevented by relatively simple means that can be taken by the great majority of the general public," Prof Baron stressed.
Studies show that hypertension is one of the leading causes of heart disease and is also the number one risk factor for stroke. By controlling high blood pressure, the risk of suffering from heart disease is reduced.
One out of four UAE nationals, about 27 per cent, suffers from hypertension according to a UAE Ministry of Health study. The alarming rate of heart disease caused by hypertension has been a priority for research in the medical world. The interrelation between hypertension, heart diseases and ultimately stroke, has been the subject of clinical study worldwide.
Dr Amel El Tayeb, endocrinologist at Dubai Hospital, addressing the Press conference, said that the media have an important role to play in public education and increasing the level of community awareness in combating high blood pressure.
"High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often silent and usually fatal if untreated. About a third of people with hypertension are unaware of their condition because of the lack of specific symptoms," Dr El Tayeb said.
"Contrary to public belief, both the systolic and diastolic values are important determinants of risk, not only of heart attacks, heart failure and premature death, but also of brain stroke and kidney failure," Dr El Tayeb added.
Prof Baron said that in 2001, there were 5.5 million stroke victims worldwide and 15 million former stroke victims who were living with disability due to stroke. The disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States, with one case of stroke occuring every 45 seconds.
Dr Sherif Bakir, a senior consultant cardiologist and Head of Department at Al Qasimi Hospital, Sharjah, also addressed the Press conference where he stressed that prevention is very simple and effective provided people are ready to alter their bad habits and unhealthy lifestyles.
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