DUBAI // A new campaign to coincide with World Heart Day aims to educate young adults and help prevent the growing number of cases of cardiovascular disease, Dubai Health Authority has said.
Last year, Rashid Hospital’s cardiology department received 1,500 patients, 900 of which were admitted due to heart attacks.
More than half (55%) of them were less than 55 years old.
The campaign has been organised in conjunction with Dubai Police, Dubai Ambulance, Novartis and Samsung and hopes to highlight how simple lifestyle changes can prevent development of cardiovascular disease; changes such as choosing healthier food and drink, keeping healthy snacks handy, stopping smoking and drinking more water.
Essa Al Maidoor, director general of Dubai Health Authority, said: “Preventive healthcare is an important aspect of the Dubai Health Strategy 2013-2025 and health education plays a vital role.
“Globally, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is known to be the leading cause of mortality and 80 per cent of premature deaths due to CVD are preventable if people follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid tobacco and undertake regular health screenings.
“Therefore, awareness campaigns to reach out to the public are essential, especially to tackle lifestyle-related diseases.
“It is emotionally, financially and medically beneficial for family members to make heart-healthy choices rather than suffer from the consequences of heart disease. Our aim is to educate them on how easy and effective these simple choices are.”
As part of the campaign, DHA cardiologists and specialists are conducting free tests for blood sugar, blood pressure, BMI, full lipid profile and HBAIC (a three-month average blood-sugar test). After the results of the test are obtained, DHA physicians provide free consultation for visitors.
The campaign, will take place across different venues in Dubai, including hospitals and labour camps.
Screenings will take place on Thursday at Nad Al Hammar public health centre. The following screenings take place: on September 29 at Dubai Ambulance headquarters; on September 30 at Dubai Hospital; on October 2 at Rashid Hospital; on October 8 at Dubai Police headquarters; on October 9/10 at Al Quoz and Sonapur labour camp; on October 20 at Dubai airport’s Terminal 3; October 26 at Dubai Municipality; and October 27 at the Roads and Transport Authority.
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