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DUBAI: Observed each year on September 29, World Heart Day was created to make people aware that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death on the planet.
This year, with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) claiming more than 91,224 lives worldwide so far, the message that people must take responsibility for their heart health has more meaning than ever.
According to the World Heart Federation, which launched World Heart Day in 2000, cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is the world’s leading cause of death, claiming more than 17.9 million lives each year.
Of these deaths, 80 percent are caused by coronary heart disease (heart attack) and cerebrovascular disease (stroke), which mainly affect people in low- and middle-income countries. These diseases also account for almost half of all deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Across the Arab region, neglect of heart health is of growing concern.
Poor eating habits and poor environmental conditions in fast-growing urban settings mean that even children in the Arab Gulf region are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those in other Arab states.
Take Saudi Arabia, for example. About 5 to 6 percent of the population suffers from cardiovascular disease, and diabetes and hypertension are considered the most common risk factors, according to Dr. Mohammed Balghith, associate professor at King Saud bin Abdul Aziz University of Health Sciences. Health and interventional cardiologist at the National Guard Hospital. .
“Many people lead a sedentary lifestyle, which means that smoking, obesity and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol levels) are the main contributors for people at high cardiovascular risk,” Balghith told Arab News.
The World Health Organization estimates that 54 percent of NCD deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean region are caused by CVD. He attributes the prevalence of such diseases to diabetes, hypertension, and the alarming rise in obesity in the CCG, especially among children.
These numbers are even more concerning when considering the possible short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on the heart, brain, and lungs.
Although many claims about the disease still lack definitive evidence, several studies have concluded that people with cardiovascular disease are more vulnerable to developing severe forms of COVID-19.
“One of the unintended consequences of COVID-19 is that people suffering from heart attacks and strokes delay seeking medical help in Saudi Arabia,” said Balghith.
“We have noticed a decrease in the number of CVD patients during the current pandemic as a result of the closures and because many patients are afraid to visit the hospital during this time. This is very alarming because delaying medical help can result in even worse results. “
Cardiac death is largely preventable if a person suffering from a heart attack is rushed to the hospital in time for treatment, Balghith said.
“It’s really discouraging to see this … especially since the risk of death from an untreated heart attack is 10 times higher than from COVID-19,” he added.
This trend leads to “unnecessary loss of life,” he said, while urging heart patients in Saudi Arabia to visit their local hospital, where the risk of COVID-19 infection has been minimized for heart attack patients and stroke.
Yet despite the best efforts to raise awareness of the nature of heart disease during the pandemic, many people skip voluntary hospital visits.
To be sure, research on the effects of COVID-19 on the heart is still a work in progress.
“The data is still early, but studies have shown that three-quarters of people infected with COVID-19 have residual changes on cardiac MRI scans, although they may have been minimally symptomatic,” said Dr. Stephen Kopecky, cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic. Arab News said.
While the long-term impacts of COVID-19 remain “unknown,” Kopecky said the virus could manifest in the heart by causing myocarditis (injury to the tissues of the heart muscles), pericarditis, and decreased systolic function of the heart. left ventricle, with arrhythmia identified as a side effect.
“The primary effects of COVID-19 are in the lungs, but due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) the heart is stressed and type 2 heart attacks can occur,” he said.
The good news is that COVID-19 is not guaranteed to cause heart conditions in all recovering patients.
In fact, with the exception of specific cases where patients are susceptible to heart problems caused by common risk factors or genetic factors, heart health is highly dependent on lifestyle.
“Lifestyle, lifestyle, lifestyle,” Kopecky said, emphasizing the importance of diet and exercise for healthy living.
“The first factor that contributes to heart disease is diet. Intake of processed foods has increased in the last two decades, ”he said, noting in particular processed fats and carbohydrates.
The second leading contributor to cardiovascular disease is lack of physical activity, and many jobs outside the home are likely to be sedentary with increased screen time and little to no vigorous activity, he said.
Furthermore, air pollution and smoking remain the main predictors of an increase in early cardiovascular diseases worldwide, despite a slight reduction in cigarette consumption in economically advanced countries.
“Diet and physical activity, avoiding smoking and maintaining a normal weight are key to maintaining a healthy heart. Also, stress reduction, adequate sleep and limited alcohol intake go a long way, ”Kopecky said.
His advice on World Heart Day coincides with a broader global campaign called #UseHeart, launched to encourage individuals, families, communities and governments to get involved in activities that help them take charge of their heart health. and to spread awareness.
The campaign also supports the unified promise made by world leaders in 2012 to reduce global NCD mortality by 25 percent by 2025.
Noncommunicable diseases that lead to cardiovascular disease include obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.
The campaign message is particularly crucial in developing countries, where the prevalence of cardiovascular disease is increasing.
Kopecky said that heart attacks often affect people active in the workforce, primarily people under the age of 65.
“In economically advanced countries like the United States, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases has remained practically the same. But in the last five years, the incidence of cardiovascular events has actually increased a bit and life expectancy has decreased compared to what was happening previously, ”he said, referring to the reduction in CVD events in the last 50 years. .
In addition, Kopecky said that cardiovascular disease generally manifests 10 years earlier in men than in women, and often affects men in their 50s and 60s, and women in their 60s and 70s.
However, regardless of gender, age, and environment, at least 80 percent of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke can be avoided.
Ultimately, health care experts insist that people should choose the right lifestyle when it comes to what they eat, how often they exercise, and whether they smoke.
• Twitter: @jumana_khamis
