Study Reveals High Prevalence of Heart Disease Among UAE Residents, Including Younger Individuals.
A recent study has unveiled that over half of the population in the Emirates has experienced heart disease at some point in their lives. Notably, there has been a concerning rise in heart attacks among young individuals in the UAE. The research indicates that premature coronary heart diseases (CHDs) tend to affect people in this region at a much earlier age compared to Western countries.
Dr. Juwairia Al Ali, the President of the Emirates Cardiac Society (ECS), noted that a few years ago, it was uncommon to encounter patients under the age of 50 suffering from heart attacks. However, hospitals across the UAE have witnessed an increasing number of individuals in their early 30s being admitted due to heart attacks. Disturbingly, research has indicated that the incidence of premature coronary heart diseases in the UAE, which can lead to heart attacks, occurs approximately 10-15 years earlier than in individuals from Western nations.
According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the UAE’s death rate from heart disease in the past couple of years ranged from 70 to 80 per 100,000 people. Dr. Juwairia highlighted an even more alarming fact: around 40 percent of adults in the UAE are at risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), yet most are unaware of this risk until they experience severe conditions like heart attacks or strokes.
ASCVD is characterized by the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis—a process in which fatty deposits, cholesterol, blood cells, and other substances build up inside artery walls, forming plaques. Dr. Juwairia cited a study that revealed over half of UAE residents have been directly affected by heart disease at some point in their lives, with around 55 percent of respondents having experienced heart disease either through personal diagnosis or the diagnosis of a close associate.
