We would be hard pressed nowadays to be able to find someone within our family or friends that hasn’t suffered something that affects the heart, whether it is high blood pressure, increased cholesterol or any myriad of issues that can potentially have dire consequences. Kuwait Hospital has a CSR campaign to educate the community about coronary artery disease and is offering tests to help you assess your risks, as well as providing you with a roadmap of how to prevent any issues in the future.
Artherosclerotic coronary artery disease is the most prevalent disease in the world and is the leading cause of death around the world and in Kuwait whether directly or indirectly. This disease is the reason for many issues such as heart attacks, strokes, stents, heart failure, water in the lungs, and so many more. Kuwait Hospital is working hard to make sure that we are all aware of this disease, and they are also helping us diagnose our likelihood of suffering from such a disease.
The Kuwait Hospital campaign invites all individuals living in Kuwait between the ages of 30 and 70 to partake in a revolutionary testing mechanism that determines the chances of an individual suffering from heart disease. This campaign includes some personal history questions, some blood tests and a CT scan which present a clear picture of your heart health and the likelihood of progression. This method differs from other globally adopted approach that uses calculations derived from north American/European populations. These are not specific to the GCC or even Kuwaiti population, additionally, they do not undertake clear CT scans to show the current deposits of calcium already in the heart and body.
Doctor Altayyeb Al Gallaf, who is the Head of Cardiology at Kuwait Hospital, explained how he had come up with this modified approach to take into account cultural and environmental differences that we have as compared to the West. He told us that firstly we have a hotter environment, which is shown to increase heart diseases. Secondly, we have more inter-family marriages, and coupled with smoking this can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 135% (as noted by preliminary analysis of the campaign data). He explains that the age of suffering from heart disease is on average 10 years younger for both males and females than the West.
With this campaign, not only is Kuwait Hospital, led by Doctor Gallaf, creating awareness about heart issues that need to be taken seriously, but they are also compiling the largest regional study on the prevalence of heart disease. Kuwait Hospital is undertaking this study to understand country specific heart risk data, and also to be able to create a plan for mitigating the economic impact of heart disease since about 20% of the population that is on lipid lowering drugs, does not need to be on them, and of course, also to save lives.
This is the first time in the history of Kuwait that a private hospital is undertaking such a study, and it is truly commendable for Kuwait Hospital to be leading this study which is sure to present findings that will enhance all of our lives. At present, the study has gathered data from 1250 participants, who have benefitted from the testing themselves, but also shared invaluable data for research and analysis.
You may be wondering if you are at risk for cardiovascular disease, chances are that if you suffer from diabetes, have kidney issues, suffer from high blood pressure, smoke, have a family history of heart disease, have high cholesterol, are obese, suffer from chronic inflammatory disease, then you could be at a heightened risk of heart disease, and if you are over the age of 30, you can benefit from Kuwait Hospital’s CSR campaign and have yourself checked for potential heart disease for free. As a woman, you may be at a heightened risk if you had a premature birth, preeclampsia or eclampsia or gestational diabetes when pregnant, or had menopause before the age of 40.
The first steps you can take to slow down the progression of heart disease is to stop smoking immediately and clean up your diet and adopt a healthy lifestyle. And then, perhaps you can partake in the testing offered by Kuwait Hospital.
We are signing up for the test, knowledge is power, and what a great way to participate in a country wide study to benefit the population in the future. If you are interested in registering to partake in the study, contact 22067878 to reserve an appointment in the campaign. At the same time, stay current with all of the latest in the world of health by following Kuwait Hospital on Instagram @Kuwait.Hospital.
