Dubai: A top cardiologist said consumption of fast foods and sugary drinks are causing increasing number of heart disease deaths in the UAE, and that authorities should take action.

Dr Wael Al Mehmeed, President of the Gulf Heart Association, said that the US is considering taxing sugary drinks so that fewer children will drink sodas.

“It is an interesting idea,” he said about taxing soda cans. “It is like taxing cigarettes [to cut down smoking],” he said.

The heart doctor said these are just two parts of the huge problem, as there are a number of other risk factors that contribute to heart disease in the country. “Sugar is one of the [contributing factors] to the problem of heart disease, but [authorities] should also look into the lack of enough exercise,” he said.

The cardiologist was speaking to Gulf News on the sidelines of the annual conference on Case Based Approach to Cardiovascular Disease. The two-day conference is being held at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre in Dubai Health Care City.

Dr Mehmeed said cardiovascular disease puts a huge burden on the health care system and unfortunately there are many risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol levels. “Unless we reduce these risk factors, there is no way to reduce heart disease deaths,” he said.

“Coronary deaths have beaten traffic accidents [to the number spot],” he said.

Genetics

Dr Fuad Jubran, clinical cardiologist with the Ohio-based Cleveland Clinic, said that in 10 years heart disease will be treated by genetic manipulation.

“Once you screen a patient and get the genetic profile and find out what gene causes the heart attack, you can correct it,” he said.

“Once we know how to manipulate the gene, it can prevent heart disease in the future,” he said, noting research and development has been underway in this field.

He however, said not all cardiovascular diseases can be treated with genetic manipulation.

The cardiologist said that the average life expectancy of people has gone up, even for those with heart disease. “People are living into their late 70s and 80s, physically and mentally active and are productive members of society,” he said.

The doctor disagreed with the notion that people are living longer but with a poor quality of life. “We are not prolonging life, but providing a good quality of life, if the patient takes care of himself,” he said.

The doctors said it was important that people lead a healthy lifestyle, eat fruits and vegetables, do not smoke and exercise three times a week for 30 minutes.

“Heart disease is preventable, but unfortunately, not many people are aware of that,” said the doctors.