Reveals break-up of all CVD cases admitted to DHA in 2011

Highlights the importance of the prestigious World Congress of Cardiology that will take place in Dubai in April this year

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, February 7, 2012: Cardiologists at the Dubai Health Authority are advocating the need for early screening to prevent cardiovascular diseases in the country.

Recent study of all the cases of cardiovascular cases admitted to DHA hospitals in 2011, strongly advocates the need for early screening, said Dr. Fahad Baslaib, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Director of Rashid Hospital's Cardiology Department.

In 2011, both Rashid Hospital and Dubai Hospital conducted 3100 coronary angiography and angioplasty cases. "This is a significant number given the size of our population. The high incidence of diabetes, obesity and hypertension are the main reasons behind CVD. We need to educate our community to regularly screen themselves so that they can prevent heart diseases."

Dr Obaid Al Jassim, a consultant cardiac surgeon and head of the cardiothoracic surgery department at Dubai Hospital said, "In terms of surgeries, we conducted 400 open heart surgeries in 2011. While many were congenital heart diseases, a significant number was still linked to poor lifestyle."

Dr Baslaib said of the 3100 coronary angiography and angioplasty cases, 20 per cent of the patients were Emiratis, 60 percent of the patients were diabetic, 50 per cent of them were hypertensive and had high cholesterol and 50 per cent of them were smokers.

Dr. Talib K. Majwal, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology and Director of Interventional Cardiology, Dubai Heart Center at Dubai Hospital said,  "All these factors trigger heart diseases and the analysis of our data further highlights the close link between hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco use and heart attacks."

Dr Baslaib said, " It is a known fact that 80 per cent of these cases are preventable through lifestyle modification. Yearly 17.1 million people die of heart attacks in the world. This figure is alarming and shows us the magnitude of the problem."

In the UAE, one in 4 deaths is attributed to cardiovascular diseases. Dr Baslaib said, "The difference between our region and other places in the world in terms of heart diseases is that we have a high incidence of diabetes and in the Middle East region the average age of heart attacks is 50 to 55 years as opposed to 65 years in western countries. This is a significant difference and advocates the need for urgent lifestyle modification."

DHA cardiologists highlighted the need for community awareness and advocacy at all levels of society as a solution to tackle the growing incidence of this problem.

Dr Majwal said, "We are very pleased that Dubai won the bid to host the prestigious World Heart Federation's World Congress of Cardiology which will take place in April this year. We will use this global congress as a platform to raise awareness about heart diseases in the community."

Dubai won the bid to host this congress and outbid several countries such as Singapore, Japan and South Africa. The World Congress of Cardiology is the official congress of the World Heart Federation and is held every two years. Through the World Congress of Cardiology, the World Heart Federation offers an international stage for the latest developments in science and public outreach.

The World Congress of Cardiology's goal is to prevent the growing epidemic of cardiovascular disease in developing countries. The congress also encourages interaction between physicians, patients, policy-makers and the public.

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About the Dubai Health Authority:
Initially, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was created in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

Therefore, the DHA was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the Dubai Health Authority. His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid is the Director General of the DHA 

The DHA's aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA's mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai and Rashid), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai. 

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff.  It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

For more information, please contact:
Heba Al Shaar
Director of Institutional Marketing& Communications
Dubai Health Authority
communication@dha.gov.ae
009714 2197455

© Press Release 2012