Cardiac arrest patients in Qatar and other GCC countries are relatively younger compared to many other countries, a senior official of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has said.

"It is a problem that we have to address. People have to look after themselves by adopting a healthy life style," urged Dr. Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen, director, Hamad International Training Centre (HITC) and senior consultant, Emergency Medicine.

"Administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) immediately to a person suffering from cardiac arrest, can save the life in most situations," he told Gulf Times yesterday.

HITC is analysing the cardiac arrest cases in Qatar. “Along with the Ambulance Service, we are doing some research on the number of cardiac arrest cases in the country. We know that majority of these causalities have the usual risk factors associated with heart disease either diagnosed or suspected. Sometimes it happens with no apparent symptoms which can be undiagnosed reasons such as high level of blood pressure or other reasons,” he said.

Dr Saifeldeen suggested that CPR should be part of the curriculum in the schools which will help students face such eventualities anywhere.

“The majority of the incidents of cardiac arrest happen outside the hospitals. Therefore, people must have adequate information on CPR and how to administer it in case of an emergency case. This can save large number of lives,” he said.

With the changes in lifestyle and the food habits, people fall victims to cardiac problems that can lead even to their death. It is therefore imperative for the people to look after themselves and avoid the risk factors, felt the physician.

He also maintained that a national CPR network with all agencies that provide CPR training will have a role in combating cardiac problems in the country.