Don't take heart disease lightly, advises IJN staff

KOTA KINABALU: The public should not take their health for granted but to change their lifestyle so as to avoid chronic illnesses such as heart disease.
That's the advice given by cardiac angiographer at the National Heart Institute (IJN) Azman Hussin, 43, a participant of the "My Heart, My Life" cycling programme.
Azman had himself suffered a heart attack about three years ago, when pain in his chest was thought to be caused by food poisoning.
"Do not assume our body is healthy just because we are young, because a heart attack can happen to anyone, especially men, more so if their lifestyle includes smoking and not watching what they eat.
"It's best to check cholesterol levels regularly and perform cardiovascular exercises to remain active," he said when met by reporters before the flagging-off of participants, here, today.
Azman admitted that he was overweight when he suffered the attack due to consuming an unhealthy diet such as fast food.
Meanwhile, IJN senior physiologist Azran Ahmad said the programme, organised by the IJN Foundation from today until Sept 18, involved more than 20 participants comprising doctors and IJN staff who would cycle from Kota Kinabalu to Sipitang, Keningau, Kundasang and Kota Marudu.
"This programme is being held in conjunction with the World Heart Awareness Month and the Malaysia Day celebration, where we will carry out charity programmes in all the areas we visit such as free screening, cholesterol- and sugar-level checks as well as health talks," he said.
Azran said the participants would be in Kundasang to celebrate Malaysia Day this Saturday, where they would host a health programme for local residents at Pentas Budaya Pekan Kundasang.
The participants were flagged off by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd regional sales manager Bernard Kee at the premises of the company's flagship distributor in Sabah, TNBC Motor Sdn Bhd, here.
Kee said the company felt honoured to sponsor two four-wheel-drive vehicles to facilitate IJN's charity programme in the state. — Bernama