Dr Noor Hisham (centre) launching IJN’s World Heart Day celebration in Shah Alam, during which he expressed concern about heart disease affecting the nation’s youth.
Awareness activities include Catch ’Em Young event for children
INSTITUT Jantung Negara (IJN) launched its World Heart Day 2024 celebration at Aeon Mall Shah Alam, with the theme “Neon Sparks Healthy Heart Embarks”, signifying the urgent need for increased awareness about heart health among Malaysia’s younger population.
The event was launched by IJN chairman Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, who underscored growing concern of heart disease affecting the nation’s youth.
In his opening remarks, Dr Noor Hisham noted that Malaysia continued to face an alarming trend where heart disease has become the leading cause of death, accounting for 17.3% of total deaths in 2023.
Even more troubling is the fact that heart disease is increasingly affecting Malaysians in their 30s and 40s.
The average age for a heart attack in the country is now under 58 years, significantly below the global average of 64 years.
Some reported cases involved individuals in their 20s and early 30s, a rare phenomenon in previous decades.
“Sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, smoking and rising stress levels are contributing to the prevalence of heart disease among our youth.
“The fast-paced and high-pressure lives they lead are taking a toll on their heart health,” said Dr Noor Hisham.
World Heart Day 2024 aimed to raise awareness and encourage preventive measures through its “Use Heart for Action” global theme.
The campaign is not just about treating heart conditions but also educating the public, especially younger generations, on the importance of early detection, healthy lifestyle choices and preventive care.
World Heart Day celebrations spanned the entire month of September, with activities at the main lobby of IJN in Kuala Lumpur and at Aeon Mall Shah Alam, Selangor.
This included health screenings, educational booths and interactive activities to empower attendees to take charge of their heart health.
Highlighting its commitment to youth engagement, IJN also introduced its “Catch ’Em Young” programme as part of the campaign.
The pilot programme was launched earlier this year at SMK Sultan Ahmad Shah (SMKSAS) in Cameron Highlands, Pahang.
During this initiative, students were engaged in career talks, first aid sessions that covered practical aspects like applying bandages and treating burns, hand hygiene demonstrations and knowledge-sharing sessions with members of Kelab Doktor Muda.
Additionally, IJN upgraded the school’s sickbay, emphasising the importance of healthcare facilities in schools.
To extend the programme, an educational trip for 30 students and three teachers from SMKSAS to IJN was organised.
This visit included a tour of the hospital’s invasive cardiac lab and operating theatre, giving students first-hand experience of the healthcare environment.
The special guests also participated in the launch of the World Heart Day 2024 campaign, reinforcing IJN’s mission to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.
As part of its efforts to promote heart health awareness, IJN also organised a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training session for media personnel that was attended by 16 representatives.
By equipping them with this essential life-saving skill, IJN hopes to extend its message of heart health to a wider audience, emphasising the importance of immediate response in emergencies.
“As we stand here today, let us not think that heart disease is something that only affects the elderly.
“It is becoming a youth crisis and we must act now to reverse this dangerous trajectory.
“Prevention is our greatest weapon and early intervention can save lives,” Dr Noor Hisham added.
He called for collective action from government, corporations, healthcare professionals and communities to address this growing crisis.
“We cannot tackle this issue alone,” he said.
“Every step counts, whether it’s encouraging a friend to get screened or learning basic CPR that can save lives.”
The event highlighted IJN’s commitment to leading the charge against heart disease through cutting-edge treatments, while also prioritising preventive care as a cornerstone of its efforts.
For more information, visit www.ijn.com.my
