Emirates hit hard by cardio risk

Patients should be screened earlier for risk factors said Dr Kallmayer.

The average age among UAE residents for a first heart attack has dropped to 50 years, with victims as young as 21 being identified, UAE researchers have claimed.

Preliminary findings from a GCC-wide survey suggest the downward curve is a response to the high incidence of risk factors in the region, suggesting that cardiovascular disease is more prevalent than previously appreciated.

Comparatively, the average age for a first heart attack among US men is 65.8 years, and 70.4 years for women.

The data, collected and surveyed by the Emirates Cardiac Society and the Gulf Heart Association, tracked patients with cardiovascular disease, documenting their medical history, risk and lifestyle factors.

Dr Klaus Kallmayer, chairman of the German Heart Centre in Dubai, said that while the preliminary nature of the study meant it was too early to draw conclusions, the data supported the cardiovascular trends seen in his clinic.

"We have seen an astonishing number of younger people, who have had a heart attack and even needed bypass surgery," he said. "Many may still go undiagnosed.

"But the causes are clear: an excessive rate of diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, brought on by hereditary factors in combination with obesity, lack of exercise and smoking."

A study presented at last year's World Congress of Cardiology identified Middle Eastern patients with atherothrombotic disease as having one of the highest rates of heart attack, and one of the highest rates of death from the condition, in comparison to patients in other regions of the world.

The split in health outcomes is thought to be due to a combination of factors such as genetics, diet, and poorer access to health services.

While future analyses of the regional data should help identify gaps in care, more focus should be given to preventive behaviours, Dr Kallmayer said.

"Patients should be screened much earlier for risk factors and premature atherosclerosis than is usual in Western countries, especially if they have a family history of cardiovascular disease or relevant risk factors.

"This should include measuring blood pressure, checking blood sugar, HbA1c, cholesterol, honmocysteine, renal function, the condition of the carotid arteries and the heart, including a stress test."

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CARDIO RISK AT THE EMIRATES
Posted by Buddhadeb Mookerjee, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 3 July 2007 at 10:00 UAE time


This is scary. On top of high incidence of diabetes and hypertension if younger people are exposed to heart related problems then there must be something grossly wrong with the healthcare policies of the country. After having invested heavily in the health care sector by setting up state of the art medical facilities the investments need to be justified by improved health care standards in the country and not the other way around. The authoritites need to look into this sooner than later.

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