Muscat: One of the main causes of stenosis of the coronary artery (blockage) is high cholesterol, which is common in people aged 40 years and above.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, and infections can also affect the functioning of the heart.

Dr. Najeeb bin Zahran al Rawahi, senior consultant of cardiology and electrocardiography at the Royal Hospital, and the first Omani electrophysiologist, in an interview, said that the heart is a muscle, which can be affected by many factors that lead to its failure.

He said cardiac arrest can be caused due to several factors, including Ventricular fibrillation (irregular heartbeats), which leads to fainting, and in the event of a person’s exhaustion, it will lead to death.

It is necessary for everyone in the target groups to undergo periodic examination, he said.

“It is also necessary to have automatic cardiac resuscitation devices (chest compression machines CPRs) at big gatherings or public events, with people trained in first aid, which will save everyone who may be exposed to heart attacks,” Al Rawahi said.

It may be noted that the Muscat Club player Mukhallad al Raqadi fell during training and died at the hospital before the game began. He was 29 and a member of the national football team.