Strokes rising among youth

High blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol are all the risk factors for stroke, researchers highlighted in a report published in the Sept. 1 issue of the Annals of Neurology magazine.

During the past years, researchers noted a rise in stroke among youth. They discovered that diabetes, cholesterol and tobacco use “has also increased in adolescents and young adults experiencing stroke.” According to statistics, the number of people aged 15 to 44 hospitalized for stroke jumped by more than third only between 1995 and 2008. The increase may be due partly to the increasing numbers of young people who have diseases, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes – diseases usually associated with older adults. Read more

Only 19% of Dubai’s population exercises to keep healthy

• Green Coffee Bean: An effective weapon against obesity

The Dubai Health Authority announced key statistical results on exercise patterns of the population in the Emirate of Dubai. The results highlight the extent to which the population exercises on a regular basis to keep themselves in good health.

The findings suggest that there is a strong need to promote regular exercise to ward off lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart attacks, overweight and strokes. Only 19% of Dubai’s population gets sufficient amount of exercise which is required to stay healthy. Read more

Small amounts of coffee may reduce risk of stroke

Women who have at least one cup of coffee or even five cups daily may be reducing their risk of stroke by as much as 25 percent, new Swedish research shows. And women who don’t drink coffee at all may actually be increasing their risk for stroke.

However, the researchers added, these findings are preliminary and should not cause any change in coffee-drinking habits.

Results showed that consumption of 1 to 5 cups of coffee per day is associated with a 22 to 25 percent lower risk of stroke, compared with consumption of less than 1 cup a day. Read more

Campaign against stroke at The Dubai Mall Medical Centre

The Dubai Mall Medical Centre, the flagship healthcare centre of Emaar Healthcare Group, is marking World Stroke Day, with a health check-up for all visitors on October 31, 2010. From 8am to 12noon, visitors to the medical centre can check their cholesterol, blood pressure and BMI for free. Special cubicles have been set up for registration and the subsequent tests.

World Stroke Day, marked on October 29, aims to enhance awareness on the importance of stroke, which is the second leading cause of death for people above the age of 60, and the fifth leading cause in people aged 15 to 59. Every year some 6 million die from stroke. The condition can be managed by being physically active, avoiding obesity through a healthy diet and exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding smoking and learning to recognize stroke signals and taking action. Read more

60% of Emirati nationals are overweight

Obesity creates a major risk for diet-related chronic diseases, including type two diabetes, cardiovascular illness, hypertension and stroke, and in some circumstances even certain forms of cancer.

The significance of promoting personal wellness throughout the UAE and Middle East will be tackled at the upcoming Wellness and Spas Middle East exhibition, due to take place from June 7-9, 2009, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Read more

Are you at risk for heart disease or stroke?

What is cardiometabolic risk?

The term cardiometabolic risk describes a person’s chances of damaging their heart and blood vessels when one or more risk factors cluster together.

Risk factors include obesity, high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, high blood fat (triglycerides), low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. Each of these risk factors is dangerous on its own, but a combination greatly increases the risk of heart
disease and stroke.

Metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, cardiometabolic syndrome and insulin resistance syndrome are other terms for this cluster of risk factors. Read more