By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: Salman Al-Dabbous Heart Center at Adan Hospital organized a seminar on atrial fibrillation with the theme “Regulate Your Pulse, Protect Your Heart”. The seminar aimed to provide information about the symptoms of atrial fibrillation, potential treatments and how to manage the condition. Samah Al-Kharji, Head of Heart Diseases at Al-Dabbous Heart Center and a member of the Kuwait Heart Foundation, said the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in Kuwait is approximately 4.2 percent. In the broader Middle East region, this figure stands at around 8 percent, while among patients who have experienced acute heart attacks, it’s nearly 2.4 percent.

Kharji explained that a preliminary study involving approximately 500 patients under treatment at the center revealed that the average age of these patients is 65 years, with an average BMI of 31.7, indicating second-degree obesity. Among these patients, 41 percent are experiencing myocardial failure, 50 percent have diabetes, and only about 60 percent regularly seek medical attention. She further noted that atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common electrical heart defect, affecting around 43 million individuals worldwide.

Approximately one out of three people aged 55 and older develop AF. AF is a heart rhythm disorder that may initially occur sporadically, and in some cases, progress to become a permanent condition. Kharji added that the symptoms of AF may not be apparent to the patient, who could experience unexplained fatigue, extreme tiredness, difficulty breathing, dizziness or even loss of consciousness. She emphasized that AF increases the risk of strokes by five times compared to individuals who do not have AF.