DHA cardiologists advocate healthy lifestyle ahead of World Heart Day 2013.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, 26 September, 2013:  DHA cardiologists are advocating the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle ahead of World Heart Day 2013.

This year's World Heart Day falls on the 29th of September and the theme is heart health for women and children. The aim is to increase awareness about the fact that heart disease is not always a man's disease.

According to World Heart Federation, globally heart diseases are the leading cause of death in both men and women, and in the UAE one in five deaths are attributed to heart attacks.

Dr Sameera Mohamed Ali, Cardiologist at Rashid Hospital said: “Studies have shown that in the Middle East region, the average age for patients with heart attacks is ten years younger than in many western countries. Research has shown that a high prevalence of diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure in this region are factors that lead to cardiovascular diseases.”

She added that modifiable risk factors include hypertension (high blood pressure), tobacco use, raised blood glucose (diabetes), physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, cholesterol/lipids, overweight and obesity.

She said: “The modifiable risk factors for heart diseases are mainly related to lifestyle changes and if implemented, the risk to develop heart diseases reduces significantly.”

Dr Ahmed Mohammed Elrefaey, Cardiologist at Dubai Hospital said: “Lifestyle modifications should start from a young age, children need to be hooked on to healthy foods rather than fast-foods and foods laden with unhealthy fats and sugars. This has been highlighted in this year's global theme for World Heart Day 2013.  Obesity is a common risk factor facing children globally and in this region as well, and obesity is known to lead to blockage of  arteries and this can cause a heart attack.”

Elrefaey said that it is easier to inculcate healthy eating habits in children and adolescents and the likelihood of them continuing these habits into adulthood is higher.

He also advocated the need to incorporate regular exercise into one's routine from a young age.

A research conducted by the DHA, pointed out that on an average only 19 per cent of Dubai's population exercises  regularly.

Dr  Mohamed Abdulla Al Raqabani, cardiologist at Rashid Hospital 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 and 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.”

He said the bare minimum amount of exercise for an individual is 30 minutes of brisk walking three times a week. “Lack of exercise is an independent risk factor for heart disease.”

Al  Raqabani, said the problem also lies with dietary patterns in the region, which points out to a high level of daily consumption of fat and carbohydrates.

He 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.

The DHA will carry out free comprehensive screenings to mark World Heart Day 2013.

Screenings will take place on the 29th of September at Dubai Hospital  from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on the 30th at  DHA headquarters and on the1st of October at Rashid Hospital, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Screenings will also take place on the 7th and 8th October at Sonapur and Al Quoz labour camps.

The free screening will include tests for blood sugar, blood pressure, BMI, full lipid profile and HBAIC(3 month average blood sugar test.)

Cardiologists will review the results and high-risk individuals will be provided with advice on how to urgently modify their lifestyle.

Cardiologists discussed all  these prevention tips during the DHA twitter clinic ( @DHA_Dubai) which took place today from 10:00 am to noon.