RIYADH: Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman launched a media campaign during the holy month of Ramadan to create awareness about early detection of heart diseases in the Kingdom.
On Monday, the governor launched the Saudi Charity Society for the Care of Heart Patients in Madinah which will encourage early detection of heart diseases.
An agreement was also signed between the Saudi Heart Association and the Ministry of Health in the presence of the governor during the launch.
Under the agreement between the two bodies, a fully equipped vehicle was donated to check heart patients in various towns in the region.
Prince Faisal donated SR1 million for the new project and also opened the anti-smoking unit, diabetic unit and consultancy unit for pediatric and adult cardiac patients.
“This charitable organization will work for the welfare of heart patients who can be treated properly when treated at an early stage,” the prince said.
According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) data published in May 2014, coronary heart disease deaths in Saudi Arabia reached 19,569 or 24.34 percent of total deaths. The age adjusted death rate is 165.67 per 100,000 of population ranks Saudi Arabia 27th in the world.
President of the Saudi Charity Society for the Care of Heart Patients in Madinah, Abdul Rahman Al-Husseini thanked the continuous support rendered by the governor in looking after the health of the people in the region. He said that a new headquarters for the society will soon be built on the land donated by a philanthropist in the Madinah region.
He said such a center would help reduce the number of heart patients and also encourage people to follow a healthy lifestyle to avoid becoming obese, and diabetic and cardiac patients.
A documentary on the proposed headquarters of the society and about heart diseases was also shown to the invitees.
Heart diseases are blamed for 24 percent of all deaths in the Kingdom whereas 55 percent of the Saudi population is prone to high cholesterol blood levels, Saudi medical experts said, quoting data released by the WHO.
Recently, experts urged citizens to have blood tests and take necessary steps that could reduce high blood cholesterol levels, which, in addition to obesity, smoking and diabetes, is the major cause of heart diseases.
Cardiologist at King Saud University and National Guard Hospital in Jeddah Dr. Abdul Halim Kinsara said symptoms of heart disease are common after the age of 40, where those experiencing diabetes and kidney failure are more vulnerable to such diseases, which makes it imperative to conduct regular check-ups.
Patients with high cholesterol levels are reaching 55 percent of the population which necessitates cooperation between health bodies to address issues related to heart diseases, he was quoted by a local newspaper as saying.
Dr. Nagwa Mousa, a medical expert, said that an unhealthy diet and ways of life, and a lack of exercise are the main reasons for the rising rates of heart diseases and if patients want to decrease their health risks, they have to change their habits.