People of all ages are at risk of cardiac disease

Dubai: Younger people are dying suddenly due to heart disease, warned a cardiologist on Monday on the eve of World Heart Day which is marked every year on September 26.

"Heart disease is no longer the disease of the elderly,' said Dr Ahmad Gabroun, cardiologist at the Canadian Specialist Hospital in Dubai, speaking at a workshop launched by Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

The workshop was organised to raise awareness about the importance of taking early precautions to live longer and avoid premature death.

One in every five people in the UAE suffers from heart disease, he said, quoting a study.

Dr Wafa Ayesh, director of clinical nutrition at the DHA said people are still unaware that your heart is damaged by obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.

"Despite having a huge number of diabetics in the country, many people do not know the link between the two diseases [diabetes and heart disease]," she said.

Eat wisely

She said heart disease affects children because of a high incidence of obesity. Diabetes is also increasing, she warned.

She called for quick change in lifestyle. "It is not difficult [to change]. Eat everything, but eat wisely."

Dr Gabroun said there are a number of risk factors for heart disease. "You can't change your family history, sex or age. But there are things you can change by exercising, controlling your cholesterol or blood sugar levels."

He said heart disease comes without any initial symptoms and when the symptoms appear, it is then too late. He advocates early prevention.

Many who tested the ‘age' of their heart at the workshop found their hearts were older than their actual age either because they are overweight or smoke.

Workplace Wellness (slogan for World Heart Day 2010):

• Make your workplace healthier
• Take responsibility for your own health
• Insist on a smoke-free environment
• Bring exercise to your workplace--take the steps instead of a lift or go for a walk during lunch breaks
• Ask for healthy food at your work canteen
• Encourage stress-free moments
• Have regular breaks during the day (try exercising or stretching for 5 minutes)

 - World Heart Foundation

Know the numbers:

• Know your blood pressure--high BP has no symptoms and can cause sudden heart attacks
• Know your blood glucose--you need to control blood sugar if you are diabetic
• Know your blood lipids--cholesterol should be controlled through healthy diet or medication if necessary
• Exercise 30 minutes a day
• Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Cut down on salt, sugar and fat
• Don't smoke
• Cut down your weight if overweight
• Good news is that 80 percent of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable

- WHO