Making sure you know these numbers will help keep your heart health in check. Just remember that the below figures apply to the average adult; you should always consult your doctor for the most accurate information that applies to you.
Blood Pressure: <140/<90 mm Hg
Simply put, blood pressure is the measurement of the force of blood as it pushes against blood vessel walls as the heart pumps it around the body. Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers: the first number, known as systolic pressure, measures artery pressure when the heart is contracted; the second number, diastolic pressure, measures it when the heart is relaxed. Normal blood pressure is around 120/80 mmHg, though it may be lower for some. It is recommended that you get your blood pressure checked at least once a year.
Total Cholesterol: 100-199 mg/dL
Some factors that increase the risk of developing heart disease, such as cholesterol levels, have no symptoms. For this reason, it is vital to keep track of your cholesterol levels in order to maintain a healthy heart and reduce the risk of developing plaque on artery walls leading to heart-related issues. It is important to keep in mind that there is good cholesterol, HDL, and bad cholesterol, LDL. Current guidelines aim for combined cholesterol levels at around 100-199 mg/dL, all the while keeping HDL levels high (above 45 mg/dL) and LDL levels low (below 130 mg/dL), a combination which decreases the risk of developing heart disease. It is recommended that all individuals aged 20 and older, get their cholesterol levels checked every five years.
Exercise: 30 minutes, 5 days a week
It’s not news that exercise is a great way to maintain a healthy body and heart. However, to receive the full benefits of exercising, regularity is key: exercising for 30 minutes a day, five times a week can improve your heart health, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease as well as improving overall well-being. To benefit most while ensuring safety, exercises like aerobics, swimming and walking are recommended. Older adults and patients with health issues are advised to consult their physician prior to starting an exercise program.
Blood Sugar: <100 mg/dL
In basic terms, blood sugar is the body’s fuel, providing you with energy to perform your daily normal activities, and insulin is needed to allow blood sugar to enter the cells and be used as energy. However, too much sugar in the blood can be unhealthy, leading to diabetes as well as an increased risk of developing heart disease. In fact, 19 per cent of the UAE’s residents live with diabetes. Blood sugar levels vary widely, however, it is generally recommended to maintain a fasting sugar level less than 100mg/dl. Diabetes is diagnosed by any one of the following: Two consecutive fasting blood glucose tests that are equal to or greater than 126 mg/dL, any random blood glucose that is greater than 200 mg/dL, a two-hour oral glucose tolerance test with any value over 200 mg/dL and levels of HbA1c that are equal to or greater than 6.5 per cent (HbA1c is an easy blood test that gives a three-month average of blood sugars).
BMI: 18.5-24.9
Obesity is a strong risk factor associated with heart disease, and 66 per cent of men, as well as 60 per cent of women in the UAE, are already overweight or obese. The body mass index is one way to measure obesity by finding the ratio of weight to height. A BMI measuring between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal or healthy, whereas anything less or above that range can indicate a problem.
* Antonio Sorgente, staff physician, Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Juliet, Naked
Dir: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Chris O'Dowd, Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke
Two stars
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
Naga
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Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDual%20permanently%20excited%20synchronous%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E516hp%20or%20400Kw%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E858Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E485km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh699%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The years Ramadan fell in May
The biog
Favourite Quote: “Real victories are those that protect human life, not those that result from its destruction emerge from its ashes,” by The late king Hussain of Jordan.
Favourite Hobby: Writing and cooking
Favourite Book: The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran
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The five pillars of Islam
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
SPECS
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