DHA and Emirates Cardiac Society raise awareness about health failure.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, December 5, 2013: Dubai Health Authority(DHA) and Emirates Cardiac Society, announced today the launch of their campaign to raise awareness about heart failure, during a press conference that was held at Dubai Hospital.

Heart failure is a common but serious problem, that affects those with heart diseases as well as people who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes.

UAE joins more than 30 countries around the world for this awareness campaign.  Next week the awareness campaign will be organized in Dubai Hospital, Rashid Hospital, Hatta hospital, Mafraq Hospital, Qassimi Hospital and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), said Dr Arif Al Mulla, head of cardiology at Dubai Hospital.

Al Mulla is the only Emirati doctor to have subspecialized in heart failure and heart transplantation from Canada. He discussed the serious consequences of this disease and said: “Heart failure develops over time as the pumping action of the heart gets weaker. It can affect either the right, the left, or both sides of the heart. People with heart problems, those who have suffered a heart attack, people with chronic diseases such as diabetes are more susceptible to developing heart failure if they do not control and manage their disease.”

Dr Alawi Al Sheikh Ali, consultant cardiologist at SKMC and President of the Emirates Cardiac Society said  people need be aware that long-term negligence of health can lead to chronic heart problems.

He is one of the two Emirati doctors in the UAE who has  obtained a subspecialty in putting pacemaker and devices for heart failure and other cardiac conditions.

Dr.Nooshin Bazargani, Consultant Cardiologist in Dubai Hospital said that the growing dependence on fast-foods and inactive lifestyle are the biggest factors that trigger heart diseases.

Dubai Hospital and Rashid Hospital participated in a  Heart Failure Registry known as Gulf Care which included  data from GCC countries that was collected over a period of one year from February 2012 to 2013. 
Five-thousand patients were a part of the registry and the results showed that 55 per cent of patients had a prior history of heart failure and 45 per cent of them had a  new onset  of heart failure. 

The average age of patients in the registry was 59 years, which is about 10 years younger than the average age of patients with heart failure in Europe and America.  “This is probably because  risk factors such as heart attacks take place in patients ten years earlier than in western countries and once a person has had a heart attack the risk factor for getting heart failure increases,” said Bazargani.

She added: “Time and again studies have showed that the average age of patients getting heart attacks or having heart failure is ten years earlier than in many western countries. This means mortality at a younger age and in cases where patients survive it means loss of productivity  because after heart failure many patients suffer from some form of loss of productivity or disability.”

She said 63 per cent of patients who were admitted to hospital with heart failure were male.

Out of the total number, 61 per cent had history of hypertension, 50 per cent had a history of diabetes mellitus, 47 per cent had a history of coronary artery disease. 

Al Mulla said: “These statistics clearly point out the obvious- people with chronic diseases have a higher risk of developing heart failure and therefore they cannot ignore their diseases. Those with chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity etc. must follow a healthy diet, regular exercise and they must visit their doctor periodically as well as consume medications on time and not skip or avoid their medications.”

He said the result of this registry will be published very soon and it will provide a good basis for further research.

During the campaign, presentations on heart failure will be conducted for patients and visitors.

Tips to reduce the risk of a heart attack:
• Stub the cigarette.
• Cut down on salt.
• Reduce stress levels
• Walk briskly for 30 minutes a day.
• Check your blood su gar regularly if over 30 years.
• Keep your cholesterol level under control.
• Keep your weight in check. BMI is a good indicator for this.