Over 25 percent of Saudis have hypertension (high blood pressure), with more than half of them unaware they have the life-threatening disease, according to statistics issued by King Saud University for Health Sciences.
The university also warned that an estimated 49.5 percent of the Kingdom’s total population would have the disease by 2025.
Next week King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Dammam will launch an awareness campaign at Al-Rashed Mall about the dangers and treatment of hypertension, to coincide with an international campaign on World Health Day. Visitors can get free blood pressure tests and advice on proper nutrition.
Consultant cardiologist at the hospital, Dr. Mohamed Al-Kharasani, said there was an increasing incidence of hypertension disease in the Kingdom. “The person may not know he or she is suffering from high blood pressure, because there are rarely any symptoms indicating a problem.”
Al-Kharasani said there are two types of high blood pressure. The first and most common includes about 95 percent of all cases, caused by unknown reasons. The second type is a side effect of known reasons, such as kidney disease, certain endocrine diseases, shortness of the aorta, some neurological diseases, eclampsia disease, obstructed breathing during sleep syndrome, some cortisone-based medicines, birth control pills, and some immunosuppressive drugs.
Al-Kharasani described high blood pressure as “a serious condition because it can harm the cardiovascular system, including the blood vessels, the heart, brain, eyes and kidneys.” It is difficult to treat at an advanced stage, he added.
“The greatest risk of high blood pressure is a heart attack, which may lead to sudden death, or an ischemic crisis such as bleeding in the brain as a result of the explosion of an infected artery in the brain, or the occurrence of a stroke.”
25 percent of Saudis have hypertension
25 percent of Saudis have hypertension
Northern Borders rock art reveals ancient life
- Among the most notable remains are stone structures scattered northwest of Arar
- Evidence ranges from the Neolithic era to Islamic times, forming a chronological record
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region contains numerous archaeological sites, reflecting a long history of human settlement dating back to early periods, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Among the most notable remains are stone structures scattered northwest of Arar.
Varying in shape, size and design, specialists believe these structures date to the end of the Neolithic period and the beginning of subsequent eras. They are thought to have been used as stone tombs to preserve the remains of the dead.
Evidence ranges from the Neolithic era to Islamic times, forming a chronological record that highlights the diversity of communities that once lived in the region and how they interacted with their natural environment over centuries.
Ajab Al-Otaibi, director general of antiquities at the Heritage Commission, said the stone structures and rock art sites in the Northern Borders region represent an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s national cultural heritage and serve as an important resource for archaeological studies and scientific research.
He highlighted the importance of surveys, documentation and protection efforts to preserve these cultural landmarks as a historical legacy for future generations.
The region is also home to several important rock art sites, such as Shu’ayb Hamer, which features a wide and diverse collection of drawings carved on natural rock surfaces, marking it as a key site that documented early human activity in the area.
The artworks depict scenes of hunting, horsemanship, dancing, daily life and social rituals. They were created using a variety of artistic styles, most notably framed and abstract forms, and produced through different techniques including incizing and pecking, both direct and indirect.
The carvings portray human figures and a range of animals, including camels, horses and gazelles, as well as some wild and predatory species that have long since disappeared.
These images provide insight into the richness of the natural environment in earlier periods and help researchers understand the evolving relationship between humans and their surroundings.
