DOHA: Cardiovascular disease once considered an old-age illness has now become a common lifestyle concern, according to health experts at a symposium held yesterday at the Al Ahli Hospital.
Majority of heart diseases may be caused due to controllable factors like blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, stress and obesity, experts said at the symposium held to mark the World Heart Day.
The hospital held awareness events yesterday under the theme ‘Live Long with a Healthy Heart.’
“Lifestyle, use of tobacco, quality of food and lack of activity are directly influencing cardiac and vascular illnesses and the fact of age is becoming lower now,” said Dr Bendaas Djamel (pictured right), Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Al Ahli hospital on sidelines of the symposium.
In a recent case, the hospital has treated a 28 years old man for a vascular problem. “This very young man was a heavy smoker and we had to vascularise his heart,” said Dr Djamel.
He advises people to stop smoking, exercise at least 30 minutes every day and adopt healthy eating. “Smoke cessation is a key factor to prevent heart diseases. If someone can’t stop smoking by themselves they must seek specialised advice from a smoking cessation clinic like we have at the Al Ahli hospital,” said Djamel.
The symposium titled ‘Cardiac and vascular disease: Treatment and Prevention,’ was inaugurated by Dr Abdulazeem Abdul Wahab (pictured left), Medical Director, Al Ahli Hospital.
“Heart is the main organ of the body and we have to give good care to it,” said Dr Wahab.
Free glucose tests, advice by dietitian and physiotherapist were also given to visitors to the hospital as a tool to create awareness among the public.
“We held activities to create awareness about how to avoid heart diseases and how simple tests could help to diagnose the disease,” said Jamal Saleh Hammad Deputy CEO, Al Ahli hospital.
World Heart Day was founded in 2000 to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year.
The Peninsula
