ABU DHABI: A survey of social attitudes towards heart disease has revealed widespread concern about the illness.
The survey, which was commissioned by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of Mubadala’s network of healthcare providers, and the region’s leading heart care hospital, sought responses from more than 1,000 Emiratis and expats to a series of questions about heart disease and its root causes.
In total, some 44 per cent of people said they feared dying of heart disease. The survey, conducted ahead of the World Heart Day on September 29, revealed a broad consensus among UAE residents about the risks of heart disease, with 76 per cent of respondents saying they believed people under 40 should be more concerned about the illness.
Surveyed Emiratis and residents between the ages of 18 and 29 were significantly less likely to be aware of the role family history can play in a person’s risk of developing heart disease.
More than half of young respondents – 51 per cent – said family history was not a factor in heart health, compared to the 62 per cent of total respondents who said it was.
“The results of this survey show that heart disease is a real and present concern across the whole community in the UAE and the region, and that more people are looking for support in managing their heart health,” said Dr Rakesh M. Suri, chief of staff and chief of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
World Heart Day
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is marking World Heart Day with a month-long campaign, ‘Love Your Heart’, which includes community health activities.
One of the highlights will be a special ‘Cycle for Health’ event at Zayed Sports City on September 30, presented by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Health Authority – Abu Dhabi in partnership with Healthpoint and Imperial College London Diabetes Centre.
