KUALA LUMPUR : The increasing number of Malaysians suffering from coronary heart disease and the high number of expected new cases have Health Ministry officials worried.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry expects about 38 000 new cases of Malaysians suffering from heart disease every year.
He said it was also worrying that the number of new cases of heart disease is nearing that of new cancer cases, which is about 40 000 every year.
"The total number of deaths in government hospitals last year was 45 936. Of that, 7 597 or 16.5 percent were caused by heart disease," he said after opening the Wellness at Workplaces campaign.
He urged Malaysians to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle to fight heart disease.
The Wellness at Workplaces campaign by the National Heart Association of Malaysia and Philips Malaysia will be held at workplaces to raise awareness of heart health as part of overall occupational health and safety.
Selected organisations will be offered free sessions to educate employees on stress management, general heart health and risk assessment.
Earlier, National Heart Association of Malaysia president Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian said recent statistics revealed that more young Indian men and Malay women are getting heart attacks.
He said more studies were needed to ascertain the cause.
This article was first published in www.nst.com.my on 26 October 2009
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