DOHA: The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) yesterday launched an awareness campaign on heart health as heart attacks are one of the biggest causes of death in Qatar every year.
In 2015, more than 20,000 patients were admitted to the Heart Hospital due to heart attacks and other heart-related conditions.
The new campaign aims at reducing the number of heart-related illnesses in the country.
It will educate the public on how to recognise signs and symptoms of a heart attack and will also provide advice on what to do if a heart attack is suspected. It will also educate the public on how to improve their heart heath by providing information about heart conditions and the importance of maintaining a healthy heart.
Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, the Minister of Public Health, said, “Cardiovascular disease adversely affects the lives of many people in our society. As well as being one of the leading causes of death, there are also significant numbers of people living with the complications caused by chronic heart conditions. Qatar’s public health sector has made great progress in recent years to improve care for people with heart conditions – but our aim is to do even more.”
Mohammad Al Naama, Executive Director and Deputy CEO of Heart Hospital, said, “A healthy heart is a critical factor in living a healthy life. HMC’s Heart Health campaign aims to reduce the incidence of heart-related illnesses in Qatar by encouraging people to live a healthier lifestyle and recognise the conditions that can make them more susceptible to heart problems.”
The campaign also aims to provide the public with advice on minimising their risk of experiencing heart-related problems.
Dr Nidal Asaad, Chairman of Cardiology at Heart Hospital, “Symptoms such as acute chest pain with a sensation of pressure, tightness or squeezing in the chest, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw and sometimes upper back, nausea, breathlessness and dizziness could all be symptoms of a heart attack. If you suspect a heart attack, you should call 999 for an ambulance immediately and the first aid advice given over the phone should be followed until the ambulance arrives. Once the patient is on board, ambulance staff will monitor their heart rhythm all the way to the Heart Hospital, transmitting this to the awaiting physicians so they have an up-to-date picture of the patient’s condition upon arrival and can be treated immediately.”
The campaign will also educate people on eating a balanced diet and taking regular exercise. Advice people to recognize if they fall into the high risk category for heart problems by having regular health checks. Diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and inactivity are all risk factors and adults with diabetes are between two to four times more likely than others.
The Peninsula
