Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls has launched its 10th annual health awareness campaign ‘Feel the Beat’ to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases, prevention and the importance of early detection. The campaign entitled, Feel the Beat, is being organised in collaboration with King Hamad University Hospital, Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa Cardiac Centre and the American Heart Association. The two month-long campaign began in the first week of September and will continue until the end of October, offering complimentary heart testing for women across all shopping malls at City Centre Bahrain, UAE, Egypt, Lebanon and Oman. Additionally in support of World Health day which falls on September 29, City Centre Bahrain will offer free heart health check-ups in the mall on September 28-29.
Cardiovascular disease is perceived to mostly afflict men; however, Feel the Beat aims to make more women aware of the risks to their heart health. According to a Nielsen study, the top two health concerns for women in the GCC, were high-cholesterol levels and being overweight, both of which are risk factors for heart diseases. Despite heart diseases being the leading cause of deaths in the region, the perception of risk is low and warning signs are often ignored.
Duaij Al Rumaihi, Senior Mall Manager, City Centre Bahrain shared how Majid Al Futtaim’s annual social impact programme, Feel the Beat empowers women to take control of their overall well-being and learn more about heart health. “Over ten years we have tested 8000 women at our shopping malls in Bahrain and raised awareness of one of the most prevalent diseases affecting women in the region,” he added.
Referring to cardiovascular disease as the world’s leading killer, Dr. Ahmed Gabroun, Fellow American Heart Association, Member Emirates Cardiac Society said, “Through the AHA Go Red for Women movement, we have made a commitment to collaborating with our communities to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives and to take action for women’s cardio-health.”
From September 23 – 29, City Centre Bahrain will host medical professionals who will administer complimentary cardio-health screening for women. At each designated location, visitors will be able to check their blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI) to determine if they are at risk of heart disease and if they would require a follow-up consultation for further analysis.
