KUWAIT: Salman Al-Dabbus Heart Center organized a conference on atrial fibrillation under the theme “Regulate your pulse ... save your Heart”. Electro cardiologist consultant Dr Fawziya Al-Kandary, along with experts in this field in the Arabian Gulf region and the US attended the event, where they discussed diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Head of Heart Diseases Department of Adan Hospital Electro-cardiologist Samah Al-Kharji said the discussion focused on certain cases, such as women who suffer from atrial fibrillation during and after pregnancy, the elderly whose treatment is delicate, and cancer patients.

She said the elite group of doctors of various specialties enriched discussions, especially Dr Nishaki Mehta from the US, Dr Muna Al-Rashid, Dr Abdulaziz Al-Jassim, Dr Ali Al-Qattan, Dr Nour Al-Mutairi and Dr Mohammad Al-Khouli were in attendance. Dr Al-Kharji said atrial fibrillation is a common condition in Kuwait, adding that it may lead to strokes. She said raising awareness of atrial fibrillation is essential to limit its side effects. She said any patient who feels any symptom such as dizziness, or fatigue without an apparent reason should consult a doctor.

A a study conducted on atrial fibrillation patients at Adan Hospital has shown that patients with this condition have blood pressure and diabetes with a rate of over 50 percent. The study, said Dr Al-Kharji, was done on more than 350 individuals, 50 percent of whom are women, adding that their heart muscle was in good condition, and 30-40 percent of them had excess weight.