No heart health check in two years for more than half of UAE respondents

Abu Dhabi: More than half of all UAE residents responding to a recent survey said they had not had their heart health checked for more than two years, despite cardiovascular disease being the leading cause deaths in the country.

In fact, a third of those surveyed in the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi study – over a thousand – said they had never had a heart checkup.

“Even among residents over 45, the highest risk group surveyed, 49% had not had a heart checkup for more than two years, 22% never had one at all. Women were much less likely to have seen a doctor about their heart health, with 35% never having done so and 26% not having had a test in more than two years, ”the hospital said. in a press release.

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease in UAE patients often occur a decade earlier than their counterparts in other developed countries.

The study also found that 55% of respondents have been affected by heart disease in their lifetime, with 12% having been diagnosed with heart disease themselves and 53% having a close friend or family member. diagnosed with heart disease, or both.

“These results clearly show the tragic impact heart disease has on our community. Every heart disease diagnosis takes its toll from the patient to their family and friends, naturally causing a great deal of anguish for everyone involved. It doesn’t have to be that way. Most cases of heart disease are preventable and this is really the driving force behind our campaign for healthier hearts, together, ”said Dr Ronney Shantouf, cardiologist at Abu Dhabi Hospital who is part of the Mubadala Health network.

The survey, however, showed that there was a strong awareness within the community about the risk factors for heart disease, with 78 percent of respondents saying they understood the risk factors and 77 percent stating. that they knew heart disease was preventable. . What’s more, more than half of those surveyed knew that doctors recommend more than 150 minutes of exercise per week to help prevent heart disease.

Dr Shantouf recommended greater vigilance in heart health among residents.

“It is of great concern that despite the tremendous pressure heart disease places on our community and the high level of awareness that we are seeing, people are still hesitant to see a doctor and take action to prevent heart disease. It is vitally important that people see a doctor, especially if they are at a higher risk. Proper cardiac assessment along with simple, heart-healthy lifestyle changes can not only prevent a lot of pain and anguish for yourself, but also for your friends and family, ”said Dr Shantouf.

Of those polled, only 15 percent said they had no risk factors for heart disease.

The most common risk factors reported by respondents were high blood pressure, which was a concern in 46 percent of respondents, stress afflicting 45 percent of respondents, cholesterol noted in 44 percent of respondents, and lack of exercise in 44 percent of respondents. percent of respondents. In addition, obesity and diabetes, conditions closely linked to serious heart disease, affect 35% and 30% of respondents respectively.