Under the Theme (Creating Heart-Healthy Environment), the World Heart Day is celebrated this year to raise people's awareness of heart diseases and strokes, being the main cause for the death of 17.3 million persons annually, and this number is on the increase. By 2030, it is projected that almost 23.6 million people will die annually of heart diseases. As per the studies issued by the World Heart Federation, 80% of premature deaths caused by heart diseases and strokes can be avoided if the main risk factors are controlled. These risk factors are smoking, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.
According to the WHO and MOH Statistical Yearbook, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the cause of 42 percent of the Kingdom's deaths in 2010. The MOH 1431H’s Statistical Yearbook showed that there was a slight improvement in the mortality rate of cardiovascular diseases at MOH hospitals over the period from 2008 to 2010. This achievement should be firstly attributed to the grace of Allah, then to increased awareness of patients, and finally to the periodic follow-up of patients with chronic diseases. The report further noted that the number of patients, who visited the primary health centers, amounted to 50,213 Saudi men and 42,790 women. Thus, the total number of patients with ischemic heart diseases hit 167,499 people, whereas the number of patients with rheumatic heart diseases was 140,322 people in the same year.
Within the same vein, a report issued by the MOH's National Center for Media and Health Awareness said that the heart disease term is called for a range of diseases which affect the heart. They include cardiovascular diseases, cardiac arrhythmia, congenital heart diseases, cardiomyopathy, as well as heart diseases resulting from carditis and heart valve diseases.
Regarding the most prominent causes and factors behind the heart diseases, the report highlighted that they include; aging, family history of heart diseases, tobacco use, malnutrition, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, lack of physical exercise, and continuous stress.
On the most significant complications of heart diseases, the report said that they include; heart failure, heart attack, strokes, aneurysm and sudden heart attack.
Further, the report said that some types of heart diseases are unpreventable, such as congenital heart diseases. However, changing lifestyle into a healthy one enhances the health status of some heart patients and helps prevent many other types of heart diseases.
Such changes include quitting smoking, maintaining a natural level of blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar, practicing exercises regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and reducing and controlling stress.
In conclusion, the report said that the World Heart Day targets certain groups, including women suffering from heart diseases, children, the public, health decision makers, and health professionals.