- Leading global killer: Cardiovascular diseases remain the world’s leading cause of death, accounting for about 18.5 million deaths annually.
- Key risk factors: Smoking, high blood sugar, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets increase the risk of chronic diseases and their complications.
- Prevention and early detection: Health authorities stress regular check-ups, physical activity, healthy nutrition and early screening, particularly because conditions such as high blood pressure may have no clear symptoms.
Kuwait records about 3,686 deaths from heart disease each year, according to 2024 statistics, as health authorities step up efforts to promote prevention, early detection and healthier lifestyles.
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, causing about 18.5 million deaths annually, Dr. Abeer Al-Bahwa, Director of the Health Promotion Department, said.
Speaking at the launch of a heart disease awareness campaign, Al-Bahwa said the number of deaths caused by heart disease in Kuwait stood at about 3,686 annually, based on 2024 statistics.
World Health Organization statistics show that the global mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases ranges between 2,400 and 2,500 cases per million people annually, or about 198 to 248 deaths per 100,000 people.
Al-Bahwa said the Health Promotion Department focuses on spreading health awareness and helping individuals and communities improve and manage their health, with the goal of achieving “health for all.”
She said a key objective is to address unhealthy behaviors and encourage healthier habits, particularly as chronic diseases become increasingly prevalent. The main chronic diseases include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.
These conditions can persist for long periods and lead to complications that affect quality of life, she said. Al-Bahwa noted that the risks of chronic diseases and their complications can be reduced by addressing modifiable risk factors.
Smoking, high blood sugar, physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet are among the factors that increase the likelihood of developing chronic diseases and related complications, she said.
She also stressed the importance of educating teenagers and young people about the dangers of smoking, including electronic smoking, which she said cannot be considered less harmful than traditional smoking.
Prevention and early detection are also important, Al-Bahwa said, noting that some conditions, including high blood pressure, may remain silent without clear symptoms. She encouraged people to adopt regular physical activity and healthy eating habits, while also emphasizing the importance of routine health check-ups.
The Health Promotion Department continues to conduct awareness campaigns that include medical consultations and blood pressure and blood sugar measurements.
These efforts aim to identify risk factors at an early stage and direct people to health centers or accident departments when necessary, supporting efforts to build a healthier society with a lower risk of chronic diseases and related deaths.
