Research study reveals major impact of heart disease in the Middle East in 2006

The 3rd Partners International Cardiovascular Conference was inaugurated on Wednesday night by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for the United Arab Emirates, and has brought together physicians from over twenty nations to tackle the critical issue of heart disease and related illnesses.

Supported by an educational grant from Pfizer, the Conference brings together leading experts in heart disease, including specialists from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Turkey.

According to data revealed at the conference, a staggering 41 percent of all deaths in the UAE are the result of heart disease, strongly indicating that it has continued to be the leading cause of death in 2006.

Furthermore, acute myocardial infarction represents 28 percent of mortality for heart disease, cerebrovascular disease 16.2 percent, hypertensive disease 13 percent, and ischemic heart disease 12.3 percent of mortality.

Deaths due to cardiovascular diseases are reported among more males than females across all age groups. In addition, over 90 percent of such deaths occur over the age of 45 years.

These figures are matched by similarly shocking statistics from across the region, with the data suggesting that heart disease remained the leading cause of death in Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in 2006.

Chronic diseases related to the heart, such as diabetes and hypertension have become the main public health problems in these countries.

Co-chair of the Conference, Dr. Wael Almahmeed, Consultant Cardiologist & Deputy Director of Medical Services, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City- Abu Dhabi, explained: "The aim of the Partners International Cardiovascular Conference is to bring together the collective understanding of some of the world's leading experts to discuss how we can reduce the incidence of heart disease in the region, and how we can reduce the impact upon sufferers."

The high prevalence of a number of risk factors within communities in the Middle East is under discussion at the event, including the comparatively high rates of smoking and the rising levels of insulin resistance and diabetes.

Patterns of food consumption, which may play an important part in the increasing incidence of heart disease in this region, are also being examined.

The traditional diet, which was characterized by a high-fiber content and low in fat and cholesterol, has changed to a more westernized diet with high content of fat, free sugars, sodium and cholesterol. Daily per capita fat supplies showed a sharp increase in many countries, ranging from 13.6% in Sudan to 143.3% in Saudi Arabia over the past decade.

Advances in managing risk factors and improving heart health will also be under the microscope at the Partners event.

New data presented at the Conference from the TNT trial shows that, in patients with pre-existing heart disease who also had a specific cluster of cardiovascular risk factors, treatment with high doses of the popular cholesterol lowering medication Lipitor also reduced their chances of having a heart attack or stroke by nearly 30 percent.

These findings are from an analysis of 5,584 patients with heart disease. The TNT study is the largest analysis conducted to assess heart disease patients who have metabolic syndrome and have taken statins.

Co-chair Dr Mohammed Saeed Ali, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Head of Cath. Lab at Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi, noted: "With the support of the Ministry of Health in the UAE, we have seen an important increase in awareness of the challenges of heart disease and related illnesses."

"However, it is essential for all health professionals across the region to work together to tackle this increasingly serious situation. Speaking with my colleagues at this event, it is clear that there is a growing consensus that this is the most serious health challenge of our age," he added.

The 3rd Partners International Cardiovascular Conference runs from 13-15 December at the Hyatt Regency.