DUBAI // It is a hidden killer that stalks its victims and can strike at any time, mainly in the young and sometimes in elite sporting professionals.
Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is thought to affect 1 in 500 of us and it can lie dormant for years.
Without treatment, the genetic condition that leads to a hardening of the cardiac wall and obstructed blood flow can be fatal.
But there is hope for those vulnerable to “sudden death syndrome”, if the condition is picked up by doctors through early health checks or screening programmes.
An operation to reduce thickness of heart tissue was performed for the first time in the UAE at Arab Health Congress on Monday, with surgeons demonstrating the procedure on an animal heart.
A doctor demonstrates an operation to reduce the thickness of heart tissue on an animal heart. Video by Nick Webster
“People can have this genetic condition at any age and be at risk of sudden death,” said Dr Antonis Pantazis, consultant cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London.
“We take some of the muscle out that is blocking the flow in the heart. The procedure is guided by imaging.
“The aim is to give people back their lives and allow them to have normal activities.”
Associated symptoms are palpitations, shortness of breath and fainting. Athletes with the condition are advised to refrain from strenuous activity. Elite sportsmen diagnosed often have to retire due to the risk of sudden death.
Dr Antonis Pantazis performs an operation on an animal heart at the Arab Health Congress. Video by Nick Webster
“It is more common in this region than elsewhere in the world as it is a genetic heart condition,” Dr Pantazis said as he demonstrated the procedure with surgeon Fabio De Robertis.
“This operation is very complex and demanding, it is unique and takes about two hours. Patients are usually home within a week.
“Levels of safety have increased significantly, which is why we can now offer it to more young people with confidence.”
nwebster@thenational.ae
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Retirement funds heavily invested in equities at a risky time
Pension funds in growing economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East have a sharply higher percentage of assets parked in stocks, just at a time when trade tensions threaten to derail markets.
Retirement money managers in 14 geographies now allocate 40 per cent of their assets to equities, an 8 percentage-point climb over the past five years, according to a Mercer survey released last week that canvassed government, corporate and mandatory pension funds with almost $5 trillion in assets under management. That compares with about 25 per cent for pension funds in Europe.
The escalating trade spat between the US and China has heightened fears that stocks are ripe for a downturn. With tensions mounting and outcomes driven more by politics than economics, the S&P 500 Index will be on course for a “full-scale bear market” without Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, Citigroup’s global macro strategy team said earlier this week.
The increased allocation to equities by growth-market pension funds has come at the expense of fixed-income investments, which declined 11 percentage points over the five years, according to the survey.
Hong Kong funds have the highest exposure to equities at 66 per cent, although that’s been relatively stable over the period. Japan’s equity allocation jumped 13 percentage points while South Korea’s increased 8 percentage points.
The money managers are also directing a higher portion of their funds to assets outside of their home countries. On average, foreign stocks now account for 49 per cent of respondents’ equity investments, 4 percentage points higher than five years ago, while foreign fixed-income exposure climbed 7 percentage points to 23 per cent. Funds in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan are among those seeking greater diversification in stocks and fixed income.
• Bloomberg
