DHA smart clinic discusses non-communicable diseases and prevention methods

• Non-communicable diseases include diabetes, heart disease, cancer and kidney disease.
• Average age of first heart attack, according to Rashid Hospital statistics is 45 years. The global average is 65 years.
• In the UAE, one in four deaths can be attributed to heart diseases. Heart attacks take place  ten years earlier than in many western countries.
• According to Rashid Hospital statistics, approximately 50 per cent of those with heart attacks are smokers.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai,  January 13, 2013:  Dubai Health Authority(DHA) doctors took part in the DHA Smart Clinic that was held at the venue of the First NCD( non-communicable diseases) Conference in the UAE, that was held at  InterContinental Festival City.

The smart clinic discussed major non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart diseases and kidney diseases.

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

Dr Mohamed Al Raqabani, Cardiologist at Rashid Hospital said: “Studies have shown that in the Middle-East region, the average age for patients with heart attacks is at least ten years younger than in many western countries. Average age of first heart attack, according to Rashid Hospital statistics is 45 years; the global average is 65 years. This highlights the magnitude of the problem.”

According to Rashid Hospital statistics, 850 patients were admitted to the hospital in 2013 due to a heart attack. Of these, 40 per cent are diabetic, 40 per cent are hypertensive and 25 per cent have high cholesterol.

He said the reason for such  high prevalence of heart diseases in the UAE can be attributed to the high percentage of risk factors facing the population. “Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart attacks ,and in the UAE more than 20 per cent of the population suffers from this disease. Similarly, we have a high percentage of people with obesity and high blood pressure.”

He said another major risk factor for heart attacks is tobacco consumption. “Approximately 50 per cent of patients in Rashid Hospital who are admitted for a heart attack are smokers.”

Raqabani also said there is a need to educate people that lack of exercise is an independent risk factor for developing a heart attack. “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 five times a week.

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.

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

The clinic also discussed diabetes prevention and management as well as various types of cancers, importance of screening, risk factors etc. with an aim to raise public awareness about non-communicable diseases

These prevention tips were discussed during the DHA #smart_clinic 
(@DHA_Dubai) which taken place every Thursday from 10:00 am to noon.

Box:
Heart healthy foods include:  Foods low in fat and cholesterol, fish and skinless chicken or turkey, low-fat dairy products, brown rice and bread, unsalted and unroasted nuts including almonds and walnuts, flax seeds, substitute butter and ghee with olive oil.

Substitute your white bread and flour with brown bread and brown flour. 

Limit the intake of sweets and fried foods to protect your heart.