The MOH Medical Information and Health Awareness Center hosted Dr. Khalid Al Nemr, consultant cardiologist, within the framework of the Center's service dubbed: “Pilgrims' Health Is our Concern” to raise awareness of pilgrims and the elderly. The program receives people's inquiries through the center's toll-free number: 8002494444, and on Twitter at @saudimoh.
Dr. Al Nemr gave heart patients, willing to perform Hajj, tips as they may face troubles. He asserted that pilgrimage requires a lot of movement and physical effort and that a considerable percentage of pilgrims are seniors mostly with heart diseases. Patient, he said, must see doctors to be sure they can do pilgrimage.
Dr. Al Nemr stressed the importance of vaccination for heart patients, including meningitis vaccines and seasonal influenza vaccine, besides the recommendations of Ministry of Health in such seasons.
He asked heart patients to stay away from crowds and avoid rush hours, saying that was important for all pilgrims including heart patients. He also advised pilgrims to avoid fatty and salty meals and the overuse of diuretics, because in a dry weather diuretics likely cause low blood pressure. He, however, urged heart patients to drink a lot of liquids, sleep adequately and avoid stress.
Al Nemr said there was a certain class of patients not advised to take part in pilgrimage including patients with heart pain of the third and fourth stages, those who feel chest pain when walking 10 metres or less, and patients with uncontrolled pressure and dyspnea of the third and fourth stages of heart failure with swollen legs. Also patients who had, one month ago, a blood clot in the heart or who did arteries stents or those with severe narrowing heart valves – should not perform pilgrimage.
He also advised heart patients looking for hajj to see doctors if they felt heart pain, dyspnea, fainting and dizziness. In case of chest pain, dyspnea, fainting and palpitations, patient should immediately see doctors. Dr. Khalid says patient should see the doctor as a precaution, noting that overweight people must do cardiac imaging and check effort every two years starting from the age of 35.
Dr. Khaled advised a Twitter follower on the Ministry of Health who had a cardiac catheterization not to carry heavy things or travel during the first week after the surgery and to watch for the place of the surgery.
Al Nemr called upon 'Allah the Almighty' to accept all the good deeds of pilgrims. And he said the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, represented by the Ministry of Health, is doing its best to guarantee the comfort of pilgrims, offer them health care and all facilities.