Samar Yahya Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The results of a recent clinical trial conducted by Pfizer has revealed high prevalence rates of cardiovascular risk factors in the Middle East and Africa. The findings of the study were presented at a press conference in Jeddah. The findings of the Africa Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological (ACE) study were based on the examination of 4,378 men and women over 18 across 14 countries in the Middle East and Africa, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal. The patients were tested at general practice clinics for six risk factors, including obesity, abdominal obesity, smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The study was completed in 2012. Dr. Tawfik Al-Bassam, consultant for internal medicine at Jeddah's King Fahd General Hospital, said: “While studies have confirmed that communicable diseases are a major health risk in the region, the extent of the cardiovascular disease burden among our population was relatively less known. “This study helps bridge such gaps in knowledge. Further, it aims to support governments and healthcare professionals in prioritizing, responding and managing the rising tide of cardiovascular disease (CVD).” Overall, the ACE study identified dyslipidemia, an abnormal elevation of lipid levels in the blood that is usually the result of poor diet and lifestyle, as being the single largest CVD risk factor, affecting 70 percent of those tested. Abdominal obesity ranked in second place, with 68 percent affected. The study noted that women in the region are more susceptible than men to abdominal obesity and obesity. Among the respondents, 43 percent had elevated blood pressure, and obesity affected 37 percent of the study population. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found to be 25 percent and 14 percent were found to be smokers. The rural study population had a slightly less prevalence rate of CV risks than the urban population but the difference was not marked. Al-Bassam said: “One of the keys to preventing CVD is getting risk factors under control, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. “Eating a heart-healthy diet containing foods that maintains the levels of cholesterol and fatty molecules will certainly reduce overall cholesterol levels and bad cholesterol (LDL), which are harmful to the heart. “This approach will also help increase the so-called good cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), while reducing other harmful, fatty molecules called triglycerides. “Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally; more people will die annually from CVDs than from any other cause. Through supporting advancements in clinical research, such as the ACE study, we seek to help improve the lives of patients suffering from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in Saudi Arabia.” He talked about the importance of exercising as well as controlling associated conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, weight, stress and habits such as smoking.
