Dubai: Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the UAE. One in four people dies due to Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) and one in five suffer from CVD according to statistics revealed by the Dubai Health authority.

At a campaign organised to commemorate World Heart Day, Dr Fahd Balsaib, head of the cardiology department at Rashid Hospital, revealed the disturbing statistics. “We find that a significant number of young people are being admitted in our hospitals for CVDs. As per 2013 statistics, 1,500 people were admitted to Rashid Hospital for CVDs, and out of these, more than 900 people were admitted due to heart attacks. Fifty-five per cent of these patients were less than 55 years of age. If we analyse our registries, we have a significant number of patients in their early 30s and 40s with heart attacks — this figure is ten years younger than the average global age. This in itself should be a call for people to realise the importance of taking care of their health as heart disease is preventable if people follow a healthy lifestyle”

That is why World Heart Day, which is being celebrated today, holds special significance for UAE residents. Worldwide, CVD claims 17.3 million lives as well annually, according to the World Heart Federation which has designated this day to create awareness about the deadly disease that can easily be controlled and even prevented with basic lifestyle changes.

The problem in the UAE is exacerbated due to a high rate of other lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Dr G.S. Sengottuvelu, Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals said: “A few decades back, heart attacks were evident only in individuals who were older, say age 70 and above. However, the trend has taken a slightly unsettling shift with people as young as 40 being affected by heart attacks. I myself treat at least two heart attack patients aged less than 40 every week,”

But heart disease is preventable and even reversible if one is willing to change one’s lifestyle. “A balanced diet and regular exercise can help reverse heart disease. People never forget to give their vehicle for periodic maintenance but ignore their heart health. One should make a complete shift in the mind set before it is too late,” cautions Dr Yahya Kiwan, Consultant Cardiologist at the Canadian Specialist Hospital.