Follow your heart and keep it healthy

The death of a young Egyptian actor Amr Samir, 33, due to heart failure in July this year has shed light on how heart disease is no longer for the old but the younger generation is at risk equally.

A recent survey has shown that despite broad awareness of heart disease among the population, there is less understanding of the factors that influence a person's heart health, particularly among younger people.

Studies have also shown that in the Middle-East region, the average age for patients with heart attacks is at least 10 years younger than in many western countries.

On World Heart Day (WHD) today, health experts have called upon youngsters to take care of their heart and manage a healthy lifestyle for a happier heart.

A recent survey showing social attitudes of the people in the UAE towards heart disease revealed widespread concern about the illness. Commissioned by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the survey sought responses from more than 1,000 UAE nationals and residents to a series of questions about heart disease and its root causes.

In total, some 44 per cent of people said they feared to die of heart disease, with women more likely to register this as a concern (49 per cent) than men (43 per cent).

The survey revealed a broad consensus among UAE residents about the risks of heart disease, with 76 per cent of the survey respondents saying that they believed people under 40 should be more concerned about the illness.

Surveyed UAE nationals and residents between the ages of 18 and 29 were significantly less likely to be aware of the role family history can play in a person's risk of developing heart disease. More than half of young respondents - 51 per cent - said family history was not a factor in heart health, compared to the 62 per cent of total respondents who said it was. Experts agree that people with a family history are significantly more likely to develop some form of heart disease over their lifetimes.

The survey results suggested a disparity between Emirati nationals and other nationalities in the level of awareness of the factors that can improve heart health, with 71 per cent of Emirati nationals believing they could improve their heart health, compared with 83 per cent of Asian respondents and 92 per cent of Western nationals.

"The results show that heart disease is a real and present concern across the whole community in the UAE and the region, and that more people are looking for support in managing their heart health," said Dr Rakesh M. Suri, chief of staff and chief of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi.

The survey was conducted between August 21-28 this year, by YouGov, with a pool of respondents from across the UAE and Kuwait.

The statistics from Rashid Hospital said one in two patients who have heart attacks are smokers. Cardiologists are also advocating the importance of lifestyle management given the facts that point to the direct link between tobacco use and heart health. Year-on-year the number of heart attack cases is increasing at the hospital and while lifestyle factors are to blame, tobacco use tops the list of triggers, said officials.

"Tobacco consumption is directly linked to heart attacks. Compared to others, smokers carry up to four times the risk of getting a heart attack," said Dr Fahd Baslaib, head of cardiology at the Rashid Hospital.

However, the worry is that people do not take preventive measures and most of those who register with the cessation clinic are those who have already suffered the ill-health effects of tobacco cessation, he said.

"It is also highly unfortunate that people only think of quitting after they have suffered the dire health consequences of tobacco use," said Dr Hanan Obaid, head of acute and chronic diseases unit. She said those who suffer from health consequences of smoking are mainly young adults.

Dr Janardhana Rao Babburi, specialist cardiologist, Aster Clinic, Qusais said that in the UAE, over 500 babies are born every year suffering from heart conditions. "Studies state that conditions of the heart is Dubai's biggest killer with around 30-70 per cent of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases," he said. "Dubai is home to a lot of people working under stressful conditions, leading unhealthy lifestyles by eating unhealthy food high in fat and cholesterol and eating at wrong times.

"Cardiac conditions are on the rise today even among the younger population. Residents in UAE are, in fact, much more susceptible to heart conditions from a very young age," he said.
Lifestyle tips

1-Regular exercise of 30-40 minutes

2-Adequate healthy balanced diet. Avoid high sugar, high salt and high saturated and trans-fats

3-Weight control. The ideal BMI is between 19 and 25

4-Stress reduction and adequate sleep (minimum 6-8 hours)

5-Quit smoking completely

6-Adequate control of blood pressure (<140/90), diabetes, and lipid control as well as regular screening, especially for people with family history, risk factors and high-risk populations such as Asians.

Source: Khaleej Times