Heart diseases blamed for quarter of AD deaths

Heart diseases caused by the high obesity, diabetes and blood pressure rates accounted for nearly a quarter of the deaths among Emirates in Abu Dhabi in 2010, a newspaper said on Sunday, quoting doctors.

Changing lifestyles following the discovery of oil in the region were a major factor in the surge in such diseases as blood pressure, fatness, diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking, 'Al Bayan' said.

“The new lifestyle has led to big changes in the eating habits, which in turn resulted in the spread of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high smoking rates, physical and psychological stress and lack of exercise,” the paper said, quoting Dr Wael Al Mhamaeed, head of the medical services department and the cardiology section at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi.

His figures showed nearly 60 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s 1.9 million people are obese while18 per cent have diabetes and 44 per cent have high cholesterol rates. About 23 per cent are also suffering from high blood pressure and nearly 26 per cent of men are smokers compared with one per cent of women.

“Heart diseases accounted for more than 24 per cent of the total deaths in Abu Dhabi last year according to the Emirate’s health authority,” he said.

'Al Bayan' quoted another doctor as saying heart diseases can be averted by following healthy living habits and keeping off smoking and other harmful practices. “These habits include regular exercise, good dieting, high intake of vegetable and fruit, and getting rid of fat and cholesterol,” said Dr Adel Al Shamiri, head of the Emirates Mobile Hospital.
 

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