An Australian living in Dubai is preparing to climb two 6,096-metre peaks in the Himalayas even after two major heart operations.
Shadi Joweihan, 49, will travel to Nepal this week for a two-week expedition to Lobuche and Imja Tse, also known as Island Peak, which is the most popular mountain to climb in Nepal. A British team was the first to reach the summit in 1953.
Mr Joweihan, who has called Dubai home for 28 years, was diagnosed with a faulty heart valve in 2012.
He returned to Sydney for open heart surgery in 2014 and had a follow-up procedure two years later to allow him to maintain his active lifestyle.
It is extreme for someone who has gone through double heart surgery and there is a risk. But if you always avoid fear, you will never know what is behind the door
Shadi Joweihan,
Dubai resident
Now fully recovered and about to turn 50, Mr Joweihan, a business development consultant, hopes his unassisted climbs will show normal life can resume after major heart surgery.
“I was going for my pilot's licence and a medical showed I had a heart murmur, which was not a big deal as a lot of people have one,” he said.
“But after regular check-ups I realised it was getting worse and my heart valve was collapsing.
“If left untreated, my heart would have failed, so there was an optimal time for me to have an operation.
“I want to show how you can still live strongly and have uninterrupted resilience, despite two open heart surgeries.”
He was fitted with a Carpentier-Edwards Physio II ring to treat mitral valve regurgitation, a disease in which the valve between the left heart chambers does not close completely, allowing blood to leak backwards.
The prosthetic is designed to accommodate the changing pathology in degenerative valve disease.
It allows doctors to match the exact measurements and characteristics of a patient’s mitral valve.
The insertion has helped Mr Joweihan, a father of one, to return to a full and active life.
“I see a lot of attention given to diabetes and cancer but not so much for heart health — getting regular checkups can buy you your life,” he said.
“There is also a stigma and I want to show you are as good as anyone else after a heart operation and do not be afraid of the outcome of a procedure.
“People see my scar and ask what I’m doing, they want to wrap me in cotton wool.”
The climb will be quieter as it will be conducted off-season for traditional mountaineering but it could be more dangerous with severe weather. Mr Joweihan said he will be assisted by a small team of experienced Sherpas.
An emergency helicopter will be on standby, should he have any adverse reaction to the altitude or extreme conditions in the region close to the Khumbu Glacier.
The two-week expedition began on Thursday, December 15.
According to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, cardiovascular disease contributes to 40 per cent of all deaths in the UAE and is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
Some heart conditions have few symptoms, so can strike without warning.
“My doctors have been very supportive, as have my family,” said Mr Joweihan, who aims to raise the UAE flag at the summit.
“I want to challenge myself in minus 40°C conditions and winds of 70kph to really test myself.
“It is extreme for someone who has gone through double heart surgery.
“Hopefully, it will bring awareness of resilience and age, we can continue to embrace life as we get older.
"I know there is a risk but if you always avoid fear, you will never know what is behind the door.
“It is how you respond to adversity that matters.”
First Emirati woman to climb Mount Everest – in pictures
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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
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Price: From Dh149,900
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
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Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
The five pillars of Islam
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final, first leg:
Liverpool 5
Salah (35', 45 1'), Mane (56'), Firmino (61', 68')
Roma 2
Dzeko (81'), Perotti (85' pen)
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Race card
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m.
The National selections:
1.45pm: Galaxy Road – So Hi Speed
2.15pm: Majestic Thunder – Daltrey
2.45pm: Call To War – Taamol
3.15pm: Eqtiraan - Bochart
3.45pm: Kidd Malibu – Initial
4.15pm: Arroway – Arch Gold
4.35pm: Compliance - Muqaatil
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UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
SPECS
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