Lifestyle choices, diet leading to heart problems among youth
abu dhabi — Most of the deaths reported in the last six months have seen two common trends – heart attacks and people in their 30s and 40s losing their lives. Doctors and social workers, who help to repatriate dead bodies, note this as a disturbing and frightening trend.
According to statistics by Health Authority Abu Dhabi, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 34.9 per cent of all death cases in 2015. Dr Walid Shaker, consultant – cardiac surgeon, Burjeel Hospital, said stressful lifestyle and imbalanced diet led to cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes, obesity, hypertension, smoking, lack of exercise and obesity are the leading contributors.
“Globally, cardiovascular diseases are major cause of deaths. In the UAE, we found an even higher rate. In the UAE, we have high incidents of obesity, diabetes and hypertension and it reflects on the heart,” Shaker noted.
Figures from the International Diabetes Federation showed that in 2015, 19.3 per cent, almost one in five people of the UAE population between the ages of 20 and 79 had Type-II diabetes.
He said unhealthy diet is a serious cause of heart-related diseases. “Food processing, industralisation and commercialisation of food are the main causes of all problems. The age of patients start by end of 30s, let’s say mid-35.”
Awareness is the key
“About 30 per cent of expats here eat only one-time meal a day because of work requirements. And this will be in the evening, which is a very harmful behaviour. Your evening meal will carry a lot of fat and carbohydrates, and you don’t have time to burn this many calories. All this fat and carbohydrates will accumulate inside the vessels and cause blockage over the long term,” Shaker said.
He said the best way is to avoid full meals eat small ones every two-three hours. “It may be a fruit, juice or just water. Eating frequently will help reduce weight too. And if you want to have a heavy meal then have it for breakfast as you have 12 hours to burn your fats and carbohydrates. We should have a balanced diet and avoid fried foods. We need to reduce sugar and salt in food. We need to take more lemons, fruits and vegetables. We need to go back to the nature. We should learn to relax and be satisfied with what we have. Simple things can change human lives.”
Lifestyle change vital
Heart surgery is among the most expensive medical procedures. Surgery, Shaker said, is new life. “After a surgery, the patient needs to change all old habits. There is no point in doing a surgery, if the patient goes back to oily and fatty food, doesn’t do any physical activity and lead a stressful life.” Burjeel Hospital is offering 200 free heart surgeries this year. The initiative is in line with the Year of Giving and part of the 1,000 free heart surgeries to be performed in the next five years.
There is no point in doing a surgery, if the patient goes back to oily and fatty food, doesn’t do any physical activity and lead a stressful life.” Dr Walid Shaker, consultant – cardiac surgeon, Burjeel Hospital
New generation issues
Social worker Nasar Kanhangad, who helps with repatriation of dead bodies, said scores of mortalities in recent times have roots to cardiovascular diseases. “Youngsters are dying and some pass away even in their sleep. All this is due new generation lifestyle where you dig on fast food and late night parties. You don’t eat, sleep and work properly. Everyone is busy running and has got least amount of time for the most precious thing – your own body. If you wish to live long with your loved ones, you need to start caring about your own body first,” Kanhangad said.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com