PATTERN OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN PILGRIMS ADMITTED IN AL-NOOR HOSPITAL MAKKAH DURING HAJJ 1429H

Abstract

Background: The number of Hajj pilgrims is increasing every year, and has crossed the huge figure of 2 million. During Hajj period of 1428H (2007G), cardiac problems have been reported as one of the commonest causes of admissions in hospitals. However, the data regarding their Nationalities, age and gender is not available in the literature. This study was carried out to identify the cardiovascular diseases in Hajj pilgrims for the year 1429H (2008G) classified on geographical, age and gender basis, and to suggest pre-Hajj measures for their home countries and their handling by concerned Ministry during Hajj. Methods: On retrospective basis, data of all patients belonging to different Nationalities of various regions of the world, their age and gender, was analysed, who were admitted in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and cardiology wards at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital Makkah, over a period of 15 days in Hajj season 1429H (2008G). Results: Out of 203 patients hospitalised, the majority (94%) were older, i.e., >45 years. The patients suffering from various cardiac diseases were in the following order: heart failure cases 67%; ischemic heart disease 21.7%; and valvular heart disease 11.3%. As an outcome of total admissions (hospitalisation), 84% patients were discharged in stable condition, 9% were discharged against medical advice, 4.5% were unable to perform Hajj and 2.5% patients died. Conclusion: Most common cardiac diseases were found in hospitalized patients for Hajj 1429H, which belongs to different countries over the globe. It indicate loop holes in the health services of their home countries not verifying the physical fitness of their pilgrims before allowing them to proceed for Hajj. This study will also serve as a helping tool for the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia to take appropriate measures for demanding strictness for the physical fitness of Hajj pilgrims and anticipated health services for them.