JEDDAH — High level of fat/cholesterol in the blood is the key risk factor in causing coronary heart diseases and management therapy is undertaken by doctors to ensure that the condition is appropriately controlled. Regional and international experts, from KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman & Lebanon were brought together by Sanofi in a scientific meeting on hyperlipidemia management in the Middle East, chaired by Dr. Wael Al Mahmeed, Consultant Cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi & the president of the Gulf Heart Association and co-chaired by Professor Philip Barter, President of the International Atherosclerosis Society and Conjoint Professor of the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. The experts highlighted that despite treatment, control on hyperlipidemia is far from optimal especially in hypercholesterolemia patient. Majority of patients (82.6%) remain at high risk of cardiovascular events and almost two-thirds of the patient on management therapy in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iraq & Jordan continue to have inadequately controlled lipid levels. “Cardiovascular diseases are preventable if the risk factors leading to it can be controlled at an early stage. Hyperlipidemia can go undetected for years because patients do not face any visible symptoms and the condition is detected only once a patient undertakes a blood test. Even after detection and once the patients are under management therapy, we continue to encourage them to undergo regular tests to ensure the lipid levels are under-check. However, we have noticed through different studies that patients, under treatment in UAE and the region are not being able to achieve the recommended lipid levels,” said Dr. Wael Al Mahmeed. “Constantly high levels of cholesterol in the blood can lead to dangerous accumulation of the cholesterol or fat on the wall of the heart's arteries. These deposits can reduce blood flow through the arteries and cause complications such as artery blockage, chest pain, heart attack and stroke. With the rising incidence of cardiovascular events leading to fatal outcomes, effective treatment protocol to achieve the best control on lipid levels is the need of the hour,” Dr. Al-Mahmeed added. The review article will contain collective inputs from other members and leading doctors from Middle East like professor Khalid Alhabib and professor Saud Al Sifri from KSA, professor H. Farhan from Iraq, professor M. Zubaid from Kuwait, professor K. Al Rasadi from Oman and professor S. Jambart & professor M. Abi-Fadel from Lebanon. Hyperlipidemia is caused by lifestyle contributors like obesity, smoking, not exercising and unhealthy eating. Medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, pregnancy, and an underactive thyroid gland are also know to lead to the condition. The condition is mostly prevalent in men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 55. A person with a family history of hyperlipidemia is also at an increased risk of developing the condition. — SG
