Heart Disease
Less than half of Malaysian adults with CVD risk factors are aware of them travels through the blood to carry fats , but when in excess it can raise the risk for heart disease and stroke by building up on the walls of blood vessels , thus creating plaque that obstructs blood �ow .
“ In Malaysia , there is still significant lack of awareness on noncommunicable disease such as hypertension , dyslipidemia , and diabetes . Unfortunately , these diseases are often asymptomatic . Patients can be having hypertension for many years but do not complain of any symptoms . This delays them from seeing a doctor to initiate appropriate treatment ,” said Dr Yong .
As a result , data suggest that less than half of Malaysian adults with CVD risk factors are aware of them and are being properly diagnosed , according to the white paper .
In addition to developing heart problems early , young patients with such conditions are also exposed to higher risks of recurrent episodes of acute coronary syndrome ( ACS ) and increased incidence of heart failure in the future , added Dr Yong . ACS refers to multiple conditions characterised by sudden reduced blood �ow to the heart , resulting in a heart attack or unstable angina , while heart failure happens when the organ isn ’ t able to pump blood normally .
Beyond their devastating effects on people�s lives , C�Ds place a heavy financial burden on the Malaysian healthcare system , costing about MYR3.9 billion ( about �SD��� million ) a year or more than �0 percent of the healthcare cost for treating the three top chronic diseases , which also include cancer and diabetes , according to the report The Direct Health-Care Cost of Noncommunicable Diseases in Malaysia .
At the launch of World Heart Day in Kuala Lumpur last year , the country ’ s health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that estimates of the cost of heart disease treatment in Malaysia were expected to rise without effective measures to manage and prevent the condition , according to Bernama .
This should come as no surprise as the incidence of CVD is projected to rise even further if no action is taken . Without effective interventions , “ we expect the number of CVD related deaths to reach approximately 31 thousand cases annually by 2025 , representing approximately 55 percent of all NCD related deaths in the country ,” wrote the authors of the white paper .
This bleak trend is also driven by the ongoing rise of Malaysia ’ s ageing population as the elderly face increasing risks of developing heart problems . “ By 20�0 , 1� percent of the population will be over �� , an absolute increase of 7 percent from 2020 ,” reads the white paper .
3D illustration of a cholesterol-blocked artery
How to improve heart health To tackle the country ’ s rising CVD burden , the authors of the white paper recommend a range of strategies that include promoting health ownership and public awareness , improving CVD outcomes through tailored management of at-risk people , widening access to innovative treatments , and monitoring progress through health data analytics .
Raising awareness about the risk of CVD is certainly crucial in Malaysia , where one in three people has low health literacy and ownership , according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 Non- Communicable Diseases , Healthcare Demand , and Health Literacy .
“ Health is just like an investment , it requires time , effort and resources to be successful . I believe investing and taking ownership of one ’ s health is the most important investment that any individual can make ,” said Dr Yong .
Community events and digital campaigns can contribute to educating Malaysians about the risk factors for C�D as well as the benefits of healthy lifestyles , according to the white paper . The same goals can be achieved through partnerships with private general practitioners who can also remind
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