Deira City Centre promotes ‘heart-healthy’ living for the household; partners with Dubai Health Authority for World Heart Day

As part of its dedicated commitment to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases – the leading cause of death in the United Arab Emirates and worldwide, Deira City Centre has once again joined hands with Dubai Health Authority to promote heart-healthy living at home, in support of World Heart Day.

An annual campaign by the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day on September 29 is a globally-recognised event with the aim to create awareness of, educate and improve heart health across the nations. Embracing this year’s theme: One World, One Home, One Heart, Deira City Centre will be spreading the word  to  the community on how to prevent heart disease by making heart-healthy choices at home.

From September 16-24, Deira City Centre in partnership with Dubai Health Authority will host a community awareness campaign in support of World Heart Day, featuring daily ‘Heart Health Tip of the Day’ for the popular Deira City Centre Facebook community and culminating on the weekend of September 23-24 where all visitors to Deira City Centre will be able to benefit from free heart health tests, medical consultations and educational material on cardiovascular disease, preventative steps and day-to-day heart-healthy tips for at home.

Testing and consultation will be conducted by medical staff from Dubai Hospital, which is one of the hospitals under the Dubai Health Authority. Novartis Pharma Services AG, are sponsors of the event for the second year, providing medical equipment needed for the heart-health testing.

The testing will consist of a range of key health checks including BMI (body mass index – or fat levels), blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol tests – all these are important numbers everyone should know in the early detection and prevention of heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease claims 17.1 million lives annually, and affects one in three residents living in the United Arab Emirates. Deira City Centre, in partnership with Dubai Healthy Authority is committed to the ongoing education and awareness of cardiovascular diseases and prevention in the United Arab Emirates, with World Heart Day 2011 marking the second year of collaboration towards this important cause.  

“More than just supporting a global cause, we’re pleased to be working with – and hopefully impacting the daily lives of the local community to raise awareness of a health issue that is prevalent to residents of the United Arab Emirates,” said Fuad Al Najjar, Asset Director for Deira City Centre. “This is Deira City Centre’s second year in partnership with Dubai Health Authority and together we are able to spread the message that prevention of cardiovascular disease can be achieved through daily, ‘heart-healthy’ steps. We are extremely grateful for their support, and look forward to continued and ongoing campaigns in support of heart health.

“At least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease or stroke can be avoided through prevention – healthy diet, physical activity and no smoking,” said Dr. Nooshin Bazargani, Cardiologist at the Dubai Hospital and Board Member of World Heart Federation. “The goal is also to dispel the myth that heart disease is a man’s disease and that heart disease and stroke is the number one killer of women worldwide. We firmly believe that lifestyle diseases such as heart disease and stroke can be prevented through community education and awareness and we are glad to partner with Deira City Centre for this initiative that reaches out to the community.”