KUWAIT: A large-scale study on acute coronary syndromes, conducted over 18 months at several hospitals in Kuwait, has revealed important insights into the growing prevalence of heart failure. Dr Mohammed Zubaid, Professor of Cardiology at the Faculty of Medicine, Head of the Cardiology Unit at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, and board member of the Kuwait Heart Association, shared preliminary results showing that 30 percent of heart failure patients are under the age of 45, 60 percent have diabetes, and 1 percent of postpartum women are at risk of developing heart failure.
The results were announced at a recent conference organized by Roche in cooperation with Kuwait Heart Association. It gathered 130 specialists from Kuwait, the Gulf region, and the United Kingdom to discuss the latest developments in the field.
With approximately 10,000 patients involved, the study underscores the increasing burden of heart failure diseases in the region. Dr Zubaid emphasized that these findings will play a crucial role in improving patient care, helping to optimize treatment strategies and enhance the overall quality of life for those affected.

Global trend
Heart failure is a major clinical and public health challenge, affecting approximately 64.3 million people worldwide in 2017. While heart failure is commonly associated with aging, with the median age of HF patients in western countries exceeding 70 years, recent studies in the west indicate an increasing burden of the disease among younger populations (defined as those under 50).
Heart failure mortality rates are also rising among younger adults, linked to factors like obesity, diabetes, and limited healthcare access, with the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbating this trend. Research in the United States has shown that, since 2012, heart failure-related deaths have steadily increased, reversing the previous decline in mortality rates. The growing prevalence of childhood obesity, poor diet, and a lack of exercise are contributing to this troubling trend, particularly affecting millennials and Gen Z, who are experiencing heart failure at higher rates than earlier generations. Additionally, disruptions in healthcare access during the pandemic have delayed the timely diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions, further driving the rise in deaths.
According to a 2023 study published in the European Heart Journal, Data from the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry and the Framingham Heart Study suggest that this rise in heart failure among younger people may be due to the increased prevalence of metabolic risk factors such as obesity and diabetes, with these factors having a more significant impact on younger populations.
The Kuwaiti study’s full results are scheduled for release in the next few months, providing valuable data that will guide future heart failure management. This research is part of the Kuwait Heart Association’s broader efforts, including the STRONG-HF initiative, aimed at improving heart failure care through more effective diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.