Speaking at the opening of the 22nd Saudi Heart Association Conference at the InterContinental Hotel in Riyadh on Monday, Najm said 20 percent of deaths across the world are because of heart problems.He added that according to a study launched by the association, one in every two people in the Gulf region suffer from high cholesterol, which is one of the main causes of heart problems.Over 3,000 experts in various heart-related specialties are participating in the conference -- titled “Your Heart Your Life.” Najd said the SHA has formed a number of committees to ensure the event’s success.Waleed Abu Khodair, head of the scientific committee, said the conference provides a chance to review all new findings in the field. He added that the conference’s main goal is to encourage scientific research.“The Saudi Heart Association is building strong relations with nominated international scientific associations to enable a continuity in presenting new and advanced findings in the field,” he said.The conference will end on Thursday.