KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) – Heart disease remains a major health concern in Malaysia, with ischaemic heart diseases accounting for 15.1 per cent of all medically certified deaths.
Worryingly, Malaysians experience heart attacks at an average age of 58 — nearly eight years younger than the global average.
Despite this, many younger adults tend to ignore early warning signs, wrongly assuming they are too young to be at risk, said Dr Lim Chiao Wen, Consultant Cardiologist, Electrophysiologist and Internal Medicine Physician at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV).
She warned that delays in recognising symptoms often result in missed opportunities for early intervention, especially as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are increasingly affecting younger Malaysians.
“That’s why early awareness and timely detection are more important than ever — particularly when it comes to recognising the signs of what many call a ‘mini heart attack’,” she said.
The term ‘mini heart attack’ is commonly used to describe milder forms of heart attacks, such as unstable angina and Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI).
She said unstable angina occurs when the heart receives insufficient blood due to partially blocked arteries, leading to chest pain but no permanent damage, adding that NSTEMI involves actual injury to the heart muscle, though less severe than a full heart attack (STEMI), which is caused by a complete artery blockage.
Common symptoms include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and pain that may radiate to the jaw, neck, arms or back, she said.
“These symptoms are often dismissed because they can be mistaken for stress, indigestion or lack of sleep,” Dr Lim said.
She warned that even a mild heart attack means that blood flow to the heart has been temporarily blocked, which can cause lasting damage to heart tissue.
She said that when the oxygen supply is interrupted, even briefly, the affected tissue may become scarred, weakening the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
Over time, this can lead to chronic conditions such as heart failure, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), or reduced circulation to key organs, she added.
Dr Lim said studies indicate that up to 50 per cent of people who experience a major heart attack had previously suffered undetected mini heart attacks.
A separate study reported by CNN found that 42.4 per cent of individuals who died of sudden cardiac arrest, without prior diagnosis of heart disease, had evidence of a previous silent heart attack.
Those with diabetes or who are older are at higher risk and may not show classic symptoms, making detection more difficult.
Smoking and vaping are major contributors to heart disease, said Dr Lim, as they trigger inflammation, thicken the blood, and encourage clot formation that can restrict blood flow to the heart.
According to the Ministry of Health, 19 per cent of Malaysians aged 15 and above are smokers, with vaping rates increasing to 5.8 per cent in 2023. These habits significantly raise the risk of heart complications.
Dietary choices also play a critical role. High consumption of fried foods, sugary drinks and processed meats, along with the common practice of reusing cooking oil, leads to elevated cholesterol levels and plaque buildup in the arteries.
Combined with sedentary lifestyles and rising obesity rates, these behaviours place additional strain on the heart, particularly for those with underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 revealed that 15.6 per cent of Malaysians live with diabetes, a major risk factor for heart disease. High blood pressure also contributes by putting continuous strain on the cardiovascular system.
Dr Lim addressed common gender misconceptions, noting that although oestrogen provides some protection to pre-menopausal women, the risk of heart disease becomes equal after menopause. Women may also experience less typical symptoms, such as fatigue or nausea, making early detection more difficult.
She said that without managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and diabetes, mini heart attacks may recur or escalate, adding that a combination of medication, possible medical procedures and sustainable lifestyle changes is essential for long-term prevention and heart health.
— BERNAMA