By Shahfizal Musa
Pix Shahiddan Saidi

BANGI, 26 Oct 2013 – Malaysians are getting heart attacks at a much younger age then even those who were afflicted with the condition in the West.

Managing Director of National Heart Institute, Tan Sri Dr Robaayah Zambahari said 49 percent of Malaysians admitted to hospitals for heart attacks are between the ages of 40 to 60.

She said it is time Malaysians have a wake call to the number one silent killer in the country.

Dr Robaayah, one of the founders of the Institute that is the beacon of heart care in the country, said there are many cardiovascular care centres in the country that are comparable to IJN though many patients of IJN viewed that the IJN standard of care is in a different league.

She said this to UKM News Portal today after being conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Science and Medicine at The National University of Malaysia (UKM) 41^st Convocation here today.

Heart diseases, she said, have serious repercussions to the country because those within the 40-60 age range are usually at the peak of their careers and lives. They have established themselves and are assets to their employers.

They have many people dependent on them as breadwinners and families and children studying.

Dr Robaayah said Malaysians should learn from the West because they have been successful in managing heart diseases. But sadly our society seems to prefer to take the negative aspect from the West referring to fast foods and the sedantary lifestyle.

She advised the people to take care of themselves so that they won’t have to go to IJN at all. And what it takes are simple changes in lifestlye. Most of it is already well known such is controlling diet, exercise and maintaining an ideal weight.

Those are achievable but with Malaysian food and hospitality it is a challenge, Dr Robaayah said.