As this year’s World Heart Day on September 25 celebrates the theme of ‘Healthy weight, healthy shape’, targeted towards the increasing obesity in developed and developing countries, Belhoul Speciality Hospital’s Specialist Cardiologist Dr R Anil Kumar says this theme is particularly relevant to the UAE.
On the last Sunday in September every year, World Heart Day is recognised around the world to generate awareness for the prevention of heart disease.
The World Heart Federation (WHF) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and International Year of Sport and Education aim to increase public awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Initiated in 1999 members of WHF around the world have successfully been informing people about this disease which according to WHO claims 17 million lives world wide each year.
According to the World Heart Foundation (WHF), heart disease is claiming one out of three deaths worldwide and Dr Kumar says because of the UAE lifestyle, more and more adults and children are suffering from obesity and therefore are at great risk of developing hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.
Between 1989 and 1999, cardiovascular disease emerged as the leading cause of death in the UAE according to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics. In a community based study it was discovered that 27 percent of Emirati urban residents were obese.
The WHF aims to increase the public awareness of heart disease and promote preventative measures to reduce cardiac diseases.
Excess body weight promotes high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugars, which are all major risk factors for heart attacks.
In order for somebody to detect if they are obese, the body mass index (BMI) is a good indicator. The BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. If a person’s BMI is more than 30, then the cardiovascular risk is high and they are classified as obese.
