Heart disease is a growing health crisis in the Arab world, with rising rates linked to dietary changes and lifestyle factors; discover the impact on countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and others, plus insights on prevention.
Did you know heart disease is a growing concern globally, and particularly in the Arab world? It’s a bit scary, isn’t it? We’re going to take a look at what’s happening and, um, what can be done.
Let’s explore this topic further!
The Arab world has seen a remarkable increase in life expectancy in recent years. That said this progress has coincided with a significant rise in heart diseases among adults posing a major challenge to overall public health. It’s a wave affecting the entire world, but it seems especially pronounced in Arab countries. This is why we observe World Heart Day aiming to raise awareness about the dangers of these diseases on people’s lives.
The World Health Organization WHO indicates that heart diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2012, around 17.5 million deaths were attributed to heart diseases, representing approximately 31% of all global deaths. Coronary artery disease is the primary cause of death among heart diseases.
The organization also pointed out that a third of deaths resulting from heart disease were due to high and moderate levels of cholesterol and heart Ischemic heart disease is the first cause in the diseases that spread in the Arab world.
Heart Diseases Challenge the Arab world
Let’s examine the alarming figures that show the rates of death due to heart diseases in countries of the Arab world, according to the World Health Organization data for 2014:
| Country | Percentage of Deaths due to Heart Diseases from Total Death Cases |
| Saudi Arabia | 46% |
| Bahrain | 26% |
| Iraq | 33% |
| Egypt | 46% |
| Yemen | 21% |
| United Arab Emirates | 30% |
| Tunisia | 49% |
| Syria | 28% |
| Qatar | 24% |
| Oman | 33% |
| Morocco | 34% |
| Libya | 43% |
| Lebanon | 47% |
| Kuwait | 41% |
| Jordan | 35% |
The Cultural Impact of the Arab world on the Spread of Heart Diseases
The increase in cases and deaths due to heart diseases in Arab countries requires a careful examination of recent trends. Naturally this issue results from a number of changes these countries have undergone, including changes in diet; as Arab countries have increasingly adopted all that is industrially produced abandoning healthy meals in favor of fast and high calorie foods alongside lifestyle changes. But with age and evolving lifestyles dietary habits must be adjusted for a healthier course.
Following a healthy diet contributes to reducing the health risks threatening individuals; like obesity, which in turn, increases their likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and eventually heart diseases. This is confirmed by studies from the World Health Organization where they found that six Arab countries were among the top 10 countries with the highest rates of type 2 diabetes. These countries were:
- Lebanon
- Kuwait
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Bahrain
- United Arab Emirates.
In addition about 10% of deaths in Arab countries are due to complications from diabetes especially after the age of 60 according to a study published in the journal Epidemiology in 2012.
Studies have also indicated that obesity is becoming widespread globally, including in the Arab world, particularly among women. The World Health Organization pointed out that obesity rates in 16 Arab countries ranged from 74-86% for women and 69-77% for men. The highest rates were observed in Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
That said, it’s possible to reduce the risks of illness and death, especially from heart diseases by focusing on diet and avoiding smoking as these practices have a major impact on the health of Arab citizens by reducing the number of people affected by obesity which, in turn, raises their risk of heart disease.
Testimonials
“I used to feel so tired all the time, and my doctor was worried about my cholesterol. Since I started making small changes to my diet and walking every day, I feel like a new person! My energy is up, and my last checkup was great. Thank you for the informative content!” – Fatima, Riyadh
Myth & Facts
Myth: Heart disease is only a problem for older people.
Fact: While the risk increases with age, heart disease can affect people of all ages even young adults. Lifestyle factors play a significant role.
Question: Can exercise really make a difference?
Answer: Absolutely! Regular physical activity strengthens your heart, lowers blood pressure, helps you manage your weight and improves cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of heart disease.
Seeing how much of an impact lifestyle choices can have really hits home, doesn’t it? We’ve got to be more mindful of what we eat and how active we are. It’s not just about living longer but living healthier and happier!
