Dubai's youth showing trend of unhealthy hearts

With a rise in younger adults developing cardiovascular diseases in Dubai, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has launched a campaign to bring awareness and encouragement to residents in the city.

Marking World Heart Day at the DHA headquarters, the campaign is designed to educate the public on the importance of changing their lifestyle and introducing healthy habits and choices among youth, as reported by Gulf News.

Cardio Vascular Disease is now known to be the leading cause of death in the world. Eighty percent of early deaths due to CVD could have been prevented if people followed a healthy diet and exercise plan.  Of course, cutting out substances like tobacco and getting regular checkups is also a factor.

Of the 1500 people admitted to Rashid Hospital in Dubai, over a third of these patients were between the ages of 41-50.  About the same amount were between the ages of 51-60. There were also younger patients.

The amount of patients seen in the cardiology department in their 30’s and 40’s is triple that than the numbers in the rest of the world.

“Lifestyle modification is an urgent need. The UAE has a high prevalence of diabetes, obesity and hypertension –all factors that can trigger heart attacks,” stated Dr Obaid Al Jasem, a consultant cardiac surgeon and head of the cardiothoracic surgery department at Dubai Hospital.

Free tests for blood sugar, blood pressure, body mass index, lipid profile and HBAIC were all offered as part of the kick off to the campaign.

Free screenings will be held at the Rashid Hospital on the first of October from 9 AM to 2 PM and again on the 7^th and 8^th of October at Sonapur and Al Quos labor camps.