Heart disease No. 1 killer for women in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Contrary to popular belief, heart disease, and not breast cancer, is the leading cause of death in women, according to the National Heart Institute (IJN).
Its CEO Datuk Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub said there is a two to one ratio of heart disease between males and females, adding that patients as young as in their 20s are undergoing bypass surgery due to clogged arteries.
"In females aged 45 years and above, the incidence of heart disease is equal to males. Once they reach menopausal age, there is less protection from the estrogen hormone and combined with other risk factors like diabetes and obesity, it's only a matter of time before they develop heart problems," he said.
While heart disease is the number one killer in the country with 20% of Malaysians prone to it, even more alarming is the fact that the number of cases is steadily increasing annually.
"There is a 5% increase in the number of cases IJN treats every year, with 10,000 cases of cardiology and hypertension and 4,000 cases of heart surgery in a year," he told reporters after launching the "My Heart My Life" 2016 cycling tour.
Aware of the sedentary lifestyle led by Malaysians, the tour is being held for a second time in collaboration with charity arm IJN Foundation to raise awareness on promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Spanning 1,000km across five states, 12 to 15 cyclists comprising specialists, cardiologists, physiotherapists and medical personnel from the IJN Cardiac Cycle Club will cycle around the country from Aug 9 till 16.
The bicycle convoy will make pit stops at Temerloh, Kuantan, Pekan, Johor Baru, Pontian and Bagan Lalang (Selangor) to give health talks and provide free health screenings.
They will also make courtesy visits to past patients whose treatments have been sponsored by IJN Foundation to check on their wellbeing.
IJN Foundation chairman Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong said last year, the foundation sponsored the treatment of 125 patients.