The Ministry of Health has warned that there is a rising incidence of heart disease in the country and urged residents and citizens to protect themselves with proper diet and exercise.
In reports issued recently, the ministry said that 42 percent of all deaths from non-communicable diseases in 2010 were from heart disease.
The medical reports covering 2008 to 2010 have revealed that there was a slight improvement in the number of deaths from the disease. According to the latest census, the mortality rate dropped from 17.9 percent to 16.3 percent and 16.7 percent for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010.
A total of 50,213 men and 42,790 Saudi women with the disease visited primary healthcare centers. In addition, 167,499 people with heart disease and 140,322 with rheumatic heart disease visited hospitals during 2010.
According to a report released by the ministry’s information center, cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes, claim the lives of 17.3 million people every year. This number is likely to reach 23 million people in 2030 if there are no effective interventions.
The report said that “unhealthy dieting, lack of physical activities and tobacco use are considered the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease.” The other causes include hypertension, diabetes and obesity.
This year’s theme of World Heart Day focused on the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease with a focus on women and children. Cardiovascular disease can affect people of all ages and population groups.
Heart disease is the number one killer of women, causing one in three female deaths. Children are also vulnerable with the risk beginning during fetal development, and increasing during childhood with exposure to unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and smoking.
Heart disease rate ‘rising’
Heart disease rate ‘rising’
Saudi Arabia to hold Human Capability Initiative conference in Riyadh in May
- HCI 2026 set to attract over 15,000 leaders, 250 speakers, including policymakers, industry leaders, experts from various sectors
- Program to focus on optimizing learning, working environments to maximize human capability in age of AI
LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program has announced the third edition of the Human Capability Initiative conference, featuring the UK as the country of honor.
The HCI will be held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, from May 3-4.
HCI 2026 is set to attract over 15,000 leaders and feature 250 speakers, including policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from various sectors.
Under the theme “The Human Code,” the program will focus on optimizing learning and working environments to maximize human capability in the age of artificial intelligence.
Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Saudi Arabia's minister of education and chairman of the Executive Committee of the HCDP, said the conference would showcase the Kingdom’s commitment to investing in people for sustainable economic growth and to enriching a global dialogue.
He added: “Human potential remains the most critical driver of progress in a rapidly changing global landscape, and investing in humans is the most critical pillar in building a competitive economy and a knowledge-based society.”
Majid Al-Kassabi, the Saudi minister of commerce and chairman of the Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council, welcomed the UK as the conference’s country of honor.
He said: “(This) represents a continuation of the strategic cooperation between (Saudi Arabia and the UK), including the launch of the Skills of the Future initiative at the 2025 HCI conference, focused on advancing economic cooperation, educational exchange, and workforce development.”
The last two HCI conferences attracted over 23,000 participants, featured 550 speakers, and announced 156 partnerships, organizers said.
The HCDP aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, focusing on enhancing citizens’ potential and competitiveness, they added.
