Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has launched a month-long heart health awareness campaign, Know Your Heart, to educate people about the best ways to reduce their risk of heart disease
A major area of focus this year will be enabling people to better understand the link between obesity and heart disease, the leading cause of death in the UAE and around the world. Studies suggest, however, that many people don’t know which food, exercise and lifestyle approaches could help them most.
Throughout September, the hospital will hold a series of community outreach and education events designed to encourage Abu Dhabi residents to make healthier lifestyle choices. A range of digital tools will also be launched to support people looking to manage their heart health.
Dr Rakesh Suri, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said, “Heart disease is a global challenge, and education is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce its impact.”
“By helping people to understand the simple changes to their daily routines that can help support a healthier lifestyle, we can make an enormous social difference. In particular, the ‘Know Your Heart’ campaign will help people understand the tools they can use to manage their weight and avoid the damage that obesity can do to your heart,” he added.
The activities planned for September include a range of health screenings and educational talks with major employers in the capital. There will also be a ‘Heart Healthy’ awareness booth in the new expansion of the Galleria Mall on Al Maryah Island, which will open in September.
Among the digital tools available for the campaign, people will be able to calculate their body mass index and heart age–both vital predictors of the risk of heart disease–on the dedicated ‘Know Your Heart’ microsite. The site also provides tips on health and exercise, as well as heart-healthy recipes to help residents better understand how their lifestyle affects their heart health.
“While medical science has come a long way, our goal is to prevent people from having to live with the burden of heart disease. Greater awareness of the causes and ways to prevent these serious conditions will mean that people will only require surgical intervention later in life, and be able to live longer, happier, healthier lives,” concluded Suri.
