UAE | Health
Stressed residents at risk of heart disease
EXpert stresses need to manage stress, a major cause of strokes in the UAE.
- Staff Report
- Published: 23:47 March 21, 2008
- Turning down unreasonable requests placed by others helps reduce stress. The personal and work lives should also be kept separate.
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Dubai: Premature heart attacks are a real disaster and the majority of UAE cases are premature, with the average heart attack here happening at 50 years of age, a senior cardiologist has warned.
The worldwide average age of such patients is 65.
Dr Caspar Boerner of Dubai Healthcare City's German Heart Centre said it is important to manage stress, a major cause of heart attacks in the UAE.
"With the risk of premature heart attacks so high in the UAE, due to an unhealthy combination of lifestyle and long working and daily commuting times, taking steps to manage stress is even more important here," he said.
"While a little stress can be good for us, stress can become a problem when the demands placed on us as individuals become too great or continue for too long. Stressed individuals are particularly at risk of developing coronary heart disease, certain cancers, psychiatric disorders and alcohol and smoking related disorders - so it is important to recognise the tell-tale signs and seek help."
Important tips
Dr Boerner gives 10 simple tips to reducing stress in the daily life. These include controlling the demands one places upon oneself, working out realistic goals based on the abilities, and analysing what is important for oneself and then get priorities in order.
One should also recognise the signs of stress. Shallow breathing, increased headache, dry mouth and muscle tension can all indicate stress. Relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation, can help relieve tension.
A period of doing nothing or reflection can reduce tension, enhance concentration and improve efficiency. One should also take time to consider the things that are important in life and the things that are relatively unimportant.
Turning down unreasonable requests placed by others also helps reduce stress. The personal and work lives should also be kept separate.
A strong and supportive social network of friends can be a great protection against stress.
10 common symptoms of stress:
- Irritability
- Sleeping problems
- Poor concentration
- Memory lapses
- Depression
- Stomach complaints
- Palpitations
- Panic attacks
- Sweating
- Headaches
Your comments
Thank you very much for excellent advice, which can help. I did the same when I had a problem previously with high blood pressure, even though all diagnosis results were normal. It was due to stress, and of course, I did a lot of walking, swimming, ate proper food and had the right attitude.
Lilly
Norrkoping,Sweden
Posted: March 22, 2008, 11:15
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