KUALA LUMPUR – The heart disease is still the leading cause of death in Malaysia, contributing to 15 percent from the 109,164 medically certified deaths in 2019.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 18.6 million deaths were caused by heart disease globally in 2019.
This figure is expected to be more critical, especially when the world is battling with the Covid-19 pandemic that restricts the access to information and treatment of heart disease and other non-communicable diseases, said Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Therefore, the optimum usage of digital technology is needed to help the people nationwide to gain access to the information on the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
“Through technology and digital health applications, other agencies such as the statutory bodies, non-government organisations, academics and others can play their role in supporting the heart patients and their family members,” he said in conjunction with the World Heart Day celebration.
The theme this year is Use Heart to Connect which focusses on using digital technology in increasing the access to the awareness and risk of heart disease globally.
Noor Hisham said, the approach has a potential to spread health knowledge so that the people can monitor their heart health and understand the risks of heart disease. It could also increase the awareness coverage to the community and loved ones.
In conjunction of the World Heart Day 2021, the Ministry of Health (MOH) emphasizes on three main messages; protect our heart by practising healthy eating habits, not smoking and not taking alcohol, and to maintain an active lifestyle and reduce stress.
Nevertheless, he also reminded the public to obtain accurate health information from verified and trusted channels.
MOH also reminded the public to not allow Covid-19 to stop them from getting health treatment, including health screening and treatment to control their existing diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
Go for regular health screening by checking on BMI status, blood pressure, sugar level and blood cholesterol level to detect early signs of disease and avoid other complications such as heart disease.
The community is urged to fully utilise government programmes such as Komuniti Sihat, Pembina Negara (KOSPEN), PERKESA health screening, clinics with PeKa B40 services and private clinics for screening and non-communicable diseases risk factors intervention.
Heart disease patients have higher risk of getting serious complications if they are infected by Covid-19, thus, completing the Covid-19 vaccination and practicing SOP and new normal. The patients also need to maintain their health to increase their immunity from Covid-19 and its complications. -MalaysiaGazette
