Ray Liotta was filming on location in the Dominican Republic at the time of his death last year. Reuters
Ray Liotta was filming on location in the Dominican Republic at the time of his death last year. Reuters
Ray Liotta was filming on location in the Dominican Republic at the time of his death last year. Reuters
Ray Liotta was filming on location in the Dominican Republic at the time of his death last year. Reuters

What is atherosclerosis, the disease that kills half of Americans?


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Atherosclerosis - also known as the silent killer that affects half of US population - has been revealed a contributory cause in the death of actor Ray Liotta.

Documents obtained by TMZ show that Liotta, 67, died on May 26 last year from respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary oedema (a build-up of fluid in his lungs) and acute heart failure during his sleep.

Doctors said he also suffered from atherosclerosis, a build-up of fats and cholesterol into hard plaques that block the coronary arteries.

Liotta, who is best known for his portrayal of real-life mobster Henry Hill in Goodfellas, died while shooting a film in the Dominican Republic.

Atherosclerosis was also revealed as the cause of cricket legend Shane Warne’s death, who died aged 52 while holidaying in Thailand in March 2022.

Documents released in February by the Victorian Supreme Court show the former leg-spinner, who featured in Australia’s 1999 World Cup triumph and won six Ashes series, died of “coronary artery atherosclerosis”.

The sports star had reportedly being experiencing chest pain - one of the symptoms of atherosclerosis - before leaving for Thailand.

Silent killer

Atherosclerosis, which is one of the biggest causes of cardiovascular disease, is known as “the silent killer” because plaque on the artery walls can build up over many years without any symptoms.

But eventually, the opening (lumen) of the artery narrows, leaving less room for blood to flow. Plaque can restrict blood flow to the heart by clogging the artery or by causing damage to the arteries.

The US National Institutes of Health says about half of Americans have atherosclerosis and don't know it.

Physicians recommend more than 150 minutes of exercise a week to help prevent heart disease.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis include high blood pressure and cigarette smoking.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include high blood pressure and cigarette smoking.

High cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, stress and high levels of alcohol consumption are also contributory factors for atherosclerosis.

Around half of Americans aged from 45 to 85 are said to have the condition yet be unaware of it.

Professor Peter Whincup, who researches issues linked to cardiovascular disease at St George’s University of London, said, however, that in some western nations it was less often affecting people in middle age than used to be the case.

"In western countries a generation ago people would develop atherosclerotic disease in their forties or fifties. Now it’s something that occurs later in life," he said.

In some countries screening is available for vascular health, which can identify whether a person is at risk of atherosclerosis.

Risk factors include having a high level of cholesterol in the blood, often as a result of a diet rich in saturated fats. Other risk factors include high blood pressure and cigarette smoking.

Having diabetes, either type 1 or type 2, or being at risk of developing diabetes, is also associated with atherosclerosis, Prof Whincup said.

"And people who are overweight [are at risk of atherosclerosis], particularly because of the effects that has on their blood pressure and their cholesterol," he added.

Prof Whincup said the chances of developing the condition could be reduced by having a Mediterranean diet, often described as being rich in whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts and olive oil.

"Not too much refined carbohydrates, plenty of fruit and vegetables, fish, and low in meat, particularly red meat. That’s good for people and the planet," he said.

Exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking and limiting alcohol intake are also recommended to reduce the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the UAE and globally, with an estimated 35 to 40 per cent of deaths in the Emirates linked to the condition.

More than half of the UAE population has a relative or friend with a heart condition, a Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi survey found last year.

Fifty-three per cent of the participants said they have a close friend or relative with the condition, while 12 per cent have received a personal diagnosis of heart disease.

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

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DUBAI SEVENS 2018 DRAW

Gulf Men’s League
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Sports City Eagles
Pool B – Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers

Gulf Men’s Open
Pool A – Bahrain Firbolgs, Arabian Knights, Yalla Rugby, Muscat
Pool B – Amman Citadel, APB Dubai Sharks, Jebel Ali Dragons 2, Saudi Rugby
Pool C – Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2, Roberts Construction, Dubai Exiles 2
Pool D – Dubai Tigers, UAE Shaheen, Sharjah Wanderers, Amman Citadel 2

Gulf U19 Boys
Pool A – Deira International School, Dubai Hurricanes, British School Al Khubairat, Jumeirah English Speaking School B
Pool B – Dubai English Speaking College 2, Jumeirah College, Dubai College A, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2
Pool C – Bahrain Colts, Al Yasmina School, DESC, DC B
Pool D – Al Ain Amblers, Repton Royals, Dubai Exiles, Gems World Academy Dubai
Pool E – JESS A, Abu Dhabi Sharks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1, EC

Gulf Women
Pool A – Kuwait Scorpions, Black Ruggers, Dubai Sports City Eagles, Dubai Hurricanes 2
Pool B – Emirates Firebirds, Sharjah Wanderers, RAK Rides, Beirut Aconites
Pool C – Dubai Hurricanes, Emirates Firebirds 2, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Transforma Panthers
Pool D – AUC Wolves, Dubai Hawks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers

Gulf U19 Girls
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, BSAK, DESC, Al Maha
Pool B – Arabian Knights, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Abu Dhabi Harlequins

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Second Test, Day 2:

South Africa 335 & 75/1 (22.0 ov)
England 205
South Africa lead by 205 runs with 9 wickets remaining

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The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):

British group

Coldplay

Foals

Bring me the Horizon

D-Block Europe

Bastille

British Female

Mabel

Freya Ridings

FKA Twigs

Charli xcx

Mahalia​

British male

Harry Styles

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Michael Kiwanuka

Stormzy​

Best new artist

Aitch

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Mabel

Sam Fender

Best song

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care

Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up

Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant

Dave - Location

Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove

Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved

Tom Walker - Just You and I

Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger

Stormzy - Vossi Bop

International female

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

Camila Cabello

Lana Del Rey

Lizzo

International male

Bruce Springsteen

Burna Boy

Tyler, The Creator

Dermot Kennedy

Post Malone

Best album

Stormzy - Heavy is the Head

Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent

Dave - Psychodrama

Harry Styles - Fine Line

Rising star

Celeste

Joy Crookes

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Key Points
  • Protests against President Omar Al Bashir enter their sixth day
  • Reports of President Bashir's resignation and arrests of senior government officials
CREW
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: from Dh155,000

On sale: now

The Programme

Saturday, October 26: ‘The Time That Remains’ (2009) by Elia Suleiman
Saturday, November 2: ‘Beginners’ (2010) by Mike Mills
Saturday, November 16: ‘Finding Vivian Maier’ (2013) by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
Tuesday, November 26: ‘All the President’s Men’ (1976) by Alan J Pakula
Saturday, December 7: ‘Timbuktu’ (2014) by Abderrahmane Sissako
Saturday, December 21: ‘Rams’ (2015) by Grimur Hakonarson

THE BIO

Bio Box

Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul

Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader

Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Favorite food: seafood

Favorite place to travel: Lebanon

Favorite movie: Braveheart

Updated: May 10, 2023, 3:00 AM`