CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG ADULTS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.

Dr. Khadeija Ahmed Al-Marshoudi and Dr. Mohammed Shamssain*

ABSTRACT

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Research on CVD risk factors is necessary to reduce or overcome the risk of cardiovascular disease incidence. The knowledge of CVD risk factors significantly influences individualsꞌ perception and attitudes toward healthier life. Understanding the level of risk factor knowledge and risk perception can inform the development of innovative interventions to reduce risk. This is the first study looking at CVD risk factors in adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in adult UAE population and to compare our study with other relevant studies. Methods: Cross-sectional study among adults in the UAE has been perform by recruiting 926 participants; 276 males and 650 females. The questionnaire included questions on demographic, health, awareness of CVD risk factors, and habits. Subjects have been randomly selected from Fujairah and Sharjah cities in the UAE. Data have been analyzed by SPSS. Results: Average systolic blood pressure was 115.09 mmHg (SD±16.23), which was more in males than females while diastolic blood pressure was the same in males and females. People with wide waist –to-hip ratio or with high BMI≤25kg/m² have high risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Mean height was 161.71cm (SD±10.96), Shorter person had more risk factors like hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and insomnia than taller persons. The mean neck circumference (NC) was 35.91cm (SD±4.13). Individuals with smaller neck sizes less than 35cm were more stressed and insomniac and having sleep disorders compared with those with neck size more than 35 cm. Men had higher percentages of Waist-to-Hip ratio (WHR) with more risk factors than women. Female had more stress and insomniac conditions than males which may due to environmental stress and nature of their bodies. Incidental snoring conditions were four times higher in stressed female than males (OR=3.8, C.I=1.65-8.76). Hypertensive females, diabetic males and females under stress had more snoring conditions than non-hypertensive females, non-diabetic males and females without stress. There were a strong correlation between body mass index and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, WHR, and neck circumference. The prevalence of s metabolic syndrome was high especially in males; 34% of participants were suffered from this syndrome. Conclusions: There are significant number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in UAE population. Females had more risk factors than males. This means that gender is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in UAE. A variety of features like height, BMI, NC, WHR, life styles and status of health may play a role in altering the incident of cardiovascular diseases. Enlarged neck sizes was associated with more risk factors which can be regarded as an indicator for cardiovascular diseases There is a need for more awareness about this condition in order to reduce risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. The present study will help to implement intervention strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in UAE population.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease There are significant number of risk factors in UAE population.