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Know the risk factors to prolong your life

Abu Dhabi - Life-threatening heart diseases and cancer are preventable compared to the risks posed by these three common ailments.

Based on a global study, doctors in the UAE have said high systolic blood pressure, high body-mass index and high total cholesterol are posing a big threat to the lives of residents.
According to them, life-threatening heart diseases and cancer are preventable compared to the risks posed by these three common ailments.
The study concluded that dietary risk factors are taking a great toll on the health of residents in the UAE.
Statistic of high body-mass index grew by 275 per cent, whereas high fasting plasma glucose up to 273per cent.
Dr Ali Mokdad, Director of Middle Eastern Initiatives at IHME, highlighted that one needs to understand that such health crisis can be prevented, simply with awareness and greater education.
"Of the risks that contribute to health loss in the North Africa and Middle East region are preventable," he said, adding that, " We've made progress against some risk factors, but rates of obesity and related risks like high blood sugar and low physical activity are climbing at alarming rates."
"We need strong preventative measures in place to mitigate these risks and ensure that people in the region live long and healthy lives," he said.
Dr Jairam Aithal, Consultant Cardiovascular Disease at Burjeel Hospital, told Khaleej Times that due to high systolic blood pressure, high body-max index and high total cholesterol, heart disease comes into play.
"Heart disease is ranked right up there as the number one causes of deaths amongst residents in the UAE," he said.
Dr Aithal noted that the deaths are often preventable, simply by changing one's lifestyle.
"These health issues can be easily prevented. Especially the lack of physical activity, stress and smoking." The 41-year-old doctor, who received his qualifications from India, Australia and Germany, said that although cardiovascular diseases are more common in men, the statistics in women are certainly on the rise.
"You see women in UAE who are becoming obese and don't do enough physical exercise, they have adjusted themselves to a modern lifestyle."
Moreover, he believes that the age variation in heart disease has also worsened.
"The average age for heart attacks has changed from 60's to 40's."
"The youngest case I have encountered was a 19 year old male, but he came in at the right time and survived."
Cancer on the rise
Dr Norbert Dreier, Consultant Oncologist at Burjeel Hospital, also told Khaleej Times that preventing deaths in the UAE simply needs greater awareness.
"Heart disease and cancer are ranked on the top, similar to international countries. However, what's important, is that cancer in the UAE is accelerating, especially, breast cancer."
According to the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD), breast cancer comes at 22 per cent of all cases. However, it can be cured if detected early.
"With cancer, globally the top would be lung cancer. However, here for women it's breast, whereas in men it's prostate," he said.
With age, health risks are encountered. "The older you are, the more you are at risk," he said, adding that, "so, if a woman is 60 years old, her chances of having cancer increases by three per cent."
This week, The World Health Organisation threw a global panic by listing processed meat as a cancer-causing agent. Dr Dreier, who originally moved from Germany to the UAE in 2004, believes that this is no new news.
"Any engineered food is a risk," he said, adding that, "I think we already know that processed meat isn't a new health risk."
"These foods are engineered and filled with preservatives to fit a lazy or busy lifestyle. These days, people don't have much time to cook fresh healthy food, so they throw something in the microwave," he said.
"This isn't just in meat, but even in bakery. Baking is not done like before, where the baker crafts the loaf of bread from a to z. Today, it contains unhealthy things to improve the look, the taste and shelf life."
Dr Dreier, who was once instrumental in building the Stem Cell Transplant Programme and focused on developing treatment for the complete spectrum of Oncology and Hematology in Germany, noted that as unfortunate as it is, health and death are often related to time and money.
"It's all a problem about time and money, because not everyone has the time to create a healthier lifestyle. Not everyone has enough money to buy high quality, local fresh food."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com