Hypertension on the rise

Survey reveals extent of problem linked to strokes and cardiovascular disease

C a r o l i na D ’ S o u z a

One in 15 people in Dubai is diagnosed with hypertension, according to the latest survey by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

The results, jointly conducted by the DHA and the Dubai Statistics Centre, are part of the Dubai Household Health Survey, and are based on interviews with 5,000 respondents in Dubai.

In a media statement, Laila Al Jasmi, CEO of Health Policy and Strategy Sector, DHA said, “The results provide a detailed breakdown of the percentage of hypertensive people in the emirate with age, gender, nationality, income bracket and other parameters. These will eventually help us in formulating our public health policies and developing our awareness campaigns to target this audience base.”

Amal Salim Al Halyan, senior research specialist at the Health Policy and Strategy Sector at the DHA, added that hypertension is known to trigger off as strokes and cardiovascular diseases, so hypertensive people have to be very careful about their diet and lifestyle.

Of the high prevalence of hypertension among the population of Dubai, Dr Hatem Sulaiman, specialist, critical care medicine at Al Zahra Private Hospital, UAE, told

that the percentage not surprising.

“The high burden of hypertension among residents stems from many risk factors that are abundant in the lifestyle here, primarily obesity, diabetes and sedentary lifestyle with widespread consumption of junk food.”

He explained that all these factors add to the etiology of hypertension. “Without controlling all these factors together; correction of this ratio will be sort of impossible,” he said.

Speaking to Dr Mustafa Nisar Khan, emergency medicine physician, Saudi German Hospital, Dubai, said that hypertension can lead to complications. “A person with hypertension can

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D r S u l a i ma n | Critical care specialist

develop cardiac issues leading to a cardic arrest or heart failure. It can also result in stroke and kidney failure among others.”

The fact hypertension has no initial symptoms makes it necessary to depend on regular medial check-ups, Dr Khan said.

“Most cases, hypertension tends to be discovered as an incidental finding. Rarely people go to the doctor to check for hypertension; it is discovered during a medical checkup. I advise residents to visit a doctor every six months. Further, if diagnosed early, it can be controlled through diet and medication.”

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