Cardiovascular events are on the rise amongst Arab Middle East population, with atrial fibrillation and hypertension being the most common risk factors

Caution leading doctors at the Mind to Heart Cardio-Vascular scientific exchange forum, introducing the latest advancements in Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD) and their role in disease prevention

• Cardiovascular diseases cause 45% of early deaths in the Gulf region
• The overall estimated prevalence of hypertension was 29.5%, which indicates a higher prevalence of hypertension among Arabs compared to people from the sub-Saharan African (27.6%)3
• In sub-Saharan Africa, hypertension remains the most threatening risk factor, with national prevalence ranging between 15% to 30% in adults
• Awareness of hypertension was reported for 46% of the studies and varied from 18% (Jordan) to 79.8% (Syria)3
• The control rate varied from 56% (Tunisia) to 92% (Egypt and Syria)3

Istanbul, Turkey, May 30, 2014: – As the percentage of the Middle East population over 60 rapidly expands over the next few decades, atrial fibrillation and hypertension are the key cardiovascular problems expected to become much more prevalent in the region. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cause of hospital admission in the Gulf region of the Middle East1. Stroke is increasingly becoming a major health problem, with projections that deaths from it will nearly double by 2030. Studies reported prevalence rates from 29.8 per cent in Saudi Arabia to 57 per cent Bahrain.

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) have emerged as the leading cause of death in most countries in the Middle East over the past few decades. This is the primary objective of Boehringer Ingelheim’s conference “Mind to Heart Cardio-Vascular Scientific Exchange” which brought together 170 international and regionally renowned senior healthcare care practitionersto identify and bridge gaps that would help reap the biggest reductions of the CVD burden.

On the other hand, the consequences of hypertension for MENA are sobering. If untreated, hypertension leads to ischemic heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death and disability in MENA. The economic costs of hypertension are also sizable as mentioned below-

At the conference, Boeringher Ingelheim introduced some of the latest finding from its recently concluded study, called RE-SPECT ESUS,™ on prevention of recurrent stroke in high-risk patients.4 Conducted amongst 6000 patients, the study aimed to aid doctors in controlling the factors that lead to recurrence of stroke amongst high patients. This is in addition to increased investment by the company in introducing innovative treatment in the field of stroke prevention and cardiology.5

In the Middle East, atrial fibrillation is more common in women than in men. Considering regional increases in sedentary lifestyles, ageing, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease—all predisposing factors is adding to the vicious circle of hypertension, atrial fibrillation and stroke in the Middle East.6

Dr. Mohammad AI Kurdi, Interventional Cardiology consultant and Head of Cardiac Centre, said, “According to different surveys and registries, hypertension and atrial fibrillations are considered as a common risk factors affecting population in the Middle East region, which lead to serious complications such as renal disorders, heart disease and stroke. The findings from a recent report on the prevalence of hypertension and atrial fibrillation indicate a higher prevalence of these diseases in Arab countries compared to the USA and sub-Saharan Africa.”

• The region has a high prevalence of obesity (13% for men and 24.5% for women), diabetes mellitus (11.3%), and smoking (30% among men and 5% among women) (World Health Organization, 2012). Currently, CVD has emerged as one of the leading causes of death in this population3
• With one of the highest rates of obesity in the world, the Gulf region is facing an epidemic of cardiovascular diseases. At least 50% of the population is below the age of 25 and the high prevalence of risk factors signal a massive onslaught of cardiovascular diseases in the next 10-15 years.
• Obesity, poor diet, and high blood pressure have caused increases in the burden of CVD in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Cardiovascular diseases cause 45% of early deaths in the Gulf region. Around 30% of men and 44% of women in Saudi Arabia are obese1 and one-quarter of adults have diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is prevalent in 39% of men and 42% of women.
• In sub-Saharan Africa, hypertension remains the most threatening risk factor, with national prevalence ranging between 15% and 30% in adults. Rates of smoking among African men are also high, but the prevalence of most other conventional risk factors is low compared with other regions. 2

Dr. Yasser El Shahawy, Regional Medical Affairs Manager, Cardiovascular, Responsible for Middle East and North Africa region, Iran and Pakistan at Boehringer Ingelheim, commented, "Despite focused efforts and the introduction of multiple new therapies, the percentage of hypertension patients resistant to treatment has increased by 62 percent in the last 20 years – making it critical for physicians across all disciplines, to work together with patients, to improve disease management. This conference is one of many efforts undertaken by us to bridge knowledge gaps and support governments as well as health care professionals in prioritizing, responding and managing the rising tide of cardiovascular diseases.”

The conference was attended by renowned and senior doctors representing more than 12 countries from the region including: Gulf countries, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Libya and Iraq including international speakers from the CVD field to discuss the local prevalence of the diseases and identify preventive measures.

1. Gulf SAFE is published in the July 2011 issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
2. Tailakh A etal; Nurs Health Sci. 2014 Mar;16(1):126-30
3. Nursing and Health Sciences (2014), 16, 126–130
4. Hart RG, et al. Embolic strokes of undetermined source: the case for a new clinical construct. Lancet Neurol. 2014;13:429–38.
5. Diener H-C, et al. Rationale, objectives and design of a secondary stroke prevention study of dabigatran etexilate versus acetylsalicylic acid in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (RE-SPECT-ESUS). Presented at the European Stroke Conference, Nice, France on 7 May 2014, 12:45-14:15 PM.
6. The Lancet Middle East Edition, NIOC Medical Education and Research Center, Shiraz, Iran

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