With coronary heart disease particularly prevalent throughout the UAE, one of the country's foremost heart specialists explains how World Heart Day on September 30, 2007, is a timely opportunity to raise awareness of the problem.
Dr Klaus Kallmayer, chairman of German Heart Centre (GHC) in Dubai Health Care City, explains heart disease is of particular concern in the Gulf countries due to an unhealthy combination of lifestyle and work life.
And early detection is the key to tackling the problem prior to the first heart attack, which is most likely with men over fifty years old, where with women the risk becomes higher from their sixties.
He said: "In general, the diet here in the Gulf has a particularly high fat and sodium content, which is unfortunate, as twenty years ago there was much higher fibre content. Westernisation of eating habits has not helped the situation and the proliferation of fast food outlets springing up throughout the UAE has contributed greatly to the problem of high cholesterol. Abdominal obesity is particularly high among men in this part of the world, which is dangerous as fatty tissue is a source of inflammatory response in the body, which can lead to the development of Coronary Heart Disease.
"Heart disease is a problem throughout the Middle East region and this is largely due to so many people living a sedentary daily lifestyle, while also experiencing high work stress. It is no surprise that the majority of expatriates who move to the UAE to work long hours in office-based jobs put on weight. Inactivity is a major contributor to coronary disease, and it is difficult to walk any distance in the heat, especially in the summer. Walking to the corner shop or walking to work is very rarely an option, but it is these everyday habits that can significantly help reduce the risk of heart problems."
Often heart disease and diabetes, which is the world's fastest growing debilitating disease, go hand in hand, and the United Arab Emirates has the second highest prevalence rate of diabetes in the world (19.5%), second only to the pacific island of Nauru.
Dr Kallmayer explained: "It is all connected, as high Cortisol stress hormone levels in the body can lead to overeating and inactivity, which can causes obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, which can lead to coronary heart disease and even sudden heart attacks.
"Small changes to your daily routine can greatly reduce the chance of developing any heart problems. Protective factors, such as an increase in vegetables in your diet, exercise, relaxation, alcohol moderation and smoking cessation can all combine to maintain a healthy heart. "
The overarching objective of a specialist consultative cardiologist practice is to eradicate the anxiety attached to the illness and encourage people to think positively. Coronary Heart Disease is a chronic condition with a relatively good survival rate and the outcomes are usually positive with properly treated, well researched steps taken to deal with the problem.
And statistically it is not difficult to be positive. The success levels are high if appropriate steps are taken. On average one out of 100 diagnosed with Coronary Heart Disease will die each year and the risk of a non fatal heart attack averages three per cent per year.
Anyone concerned about the health of their heart can make an appointment for a comprehensive heart check up at a specialist centre. Within an hour you can have peace of mind or have something identified that might have developed into a problem in future years or months.
Dr Kallmayer added: "Prevention is often based upon simple changes to lifestyle. However, it can be extremely difficult to change people's routines and habits. Certain high risk behavioural profiles, such as those with highly driven, ambitious personalities, can be extremely challenging to adapt in order to reduce stress. It is common for people to be stressed and not even aware."
GHC, Germany's leading cardiovascular centre, opened in Dubai Health Care City in May 2006, bringing premium medical care services and the proficiency and competence of its Harvard-trained German cardiologists and other skilled staff.
