“Hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle are the other risk factors for patients having coronary artery disease,” said chairman of cardiology Dr Nidal Ahmed Asaad.
He was addressing a press conference to announce the details of the 14th Gulf Heart Association Conference and the 11th Gulf Vascular Society Symposium.
“We see around 250 to 300 patients on a daily basis at the Outpatient Department of the Heart Hospital. The number is increasing. When we opened the hospital, we used to see 40,000 a year but now we are seeing between 70,000 to 80,000 patients over the past four years in the Outpatient Department,” noted Dr Asaad.
“There is a new medication that has become available recently which emphasises on the treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure. There is also a specialised clinic to advise patients to stop and help them quit smoking; encourage increased physical activity; healthy lifestyle; and healthy dietary habits,” he pointed out.
Over 700 international, regional, and local physicians and cardiology specialists will gather in Doha for the 14th Gulf Heart Association Conference and the 11th Gulf Vascular Society Symposium from Thursday to Saturday. Held under the patronage of HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, the annual conference will take place at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel.
“The conference will provide an opportunity for our physicians to get updated with the latest treatments and technological advancements in cardiology. We also focus on educating our patients and the public on various aspects that result in cardia diseases and how to avoid them by leading an active life style,” continued Dr Asaad.
“More than 30 eminent international experts and distinguished local faculty from the various Gulf and Middle East countries will present the most recent, cutting-edge information on topics in the field of cardiovascular medicine at the conference. During three days of intensive scientific sessions and workshops, attendees will hear the latest developments in a variety of fields, including heart disease, hypertension, diagnostic imaging, and cardiovascular surgeries,” said Dr Hajar Ahmed Hajar al-Binali, conference chairman who is also the president of the Gulf Heart Association-Doha.
According to Dr al-Binali the focus of this year’s conference is the advanced management of cardiac patients. The conference - the region’s largest medical and scientific gathering dedicated to cardiology - is held in partnership with the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Cardiology.
The conference will include three workshops and 17 scientific sessions led by local and regional speakers from the UK, the US, Spain, Serbia, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, France, and Turkey.
Dr Hajar Ahmed Hajar al-Binali (centre) and Dr Nidal Ahmed Asaad (right) along with another HMC official at the press conference. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam
Almost 50% of the cardiac patients in Qatar are diabetic, a top official of the Heart Hospital of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) revealed.
