KUWAIT CITY, Oct 18: The activities organized by the Kuwait Heart Foundation (KHF) on the occasion of the World Heart Day resulted in 3,000 citizens and residents being tested as part of the “Use the Heart to Know the Heart” celebration, which was held throughout the week in coordination with the Sabah Al- Ahmad Heart Center. In a press statement issued yesterday, the Secretary General of the foundation Dr. Rashid Al-Awaish revealed that about 20 percent of the individuals who were tested were discovered to suffer from high blood cholesterol levels.

He indicated that the tests included analyzing the diabetes and cholesterol levels and measuring blood pressure, weight, and height. Dr. Al-Awaish stressed the need to conduct periodic tests for the early detection of chronic, non-communicable diseases, and other diseases that can be controlled in the early stages of detection. He affirmed the importance of awareness campaigns to publicize the dangers of chronic non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Al-Awaish also stressed the need to quit smoking, exercise regularly, and follow a comprehensive healthy diet, as well as conduct periodic check-ups to prevent the risk of heart disease. He explained that the mobile heart disease awareness unit will be launched at the beginning of November, and will continue for a period of seven months until the end of May 2024. It will move to different areas, including cooperative societies, commercial malls, schools, and other places crowded with patrons. Dr. Al-Awaish revealed that he is expecting the unit to attract between 400 to 500 people per month.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff