Heart health is something most people associate with later life. However, cardiovascular risks can actually begin much earlier, and it may go unnoticed until a serious problem emerges.
As of 2024, heart disease is the leading cause of death in Malaysia, and accounts for almost 18% of fatal cases for individuals aged between 41 to 59.
Considering how young adulthood is the time when lifelong habits take shape, a new initiative is encouraging Malaysians to pay closer attention to their heart health, including understanding their health numbers, recognising risks and building healthier habits sooner rather than later.
In conjunction with World Heart Month, Nestle Omega Plus, together with Yayasan Jantung Malaysia (YJM) and Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) Foundation will provide 10,000 health screenings and heart-health education opportunities for Malaysian youths, including those within the Perbadan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) community.
Additionally, it will also continue its annual contribution of RM100,000 each to YJM and IJN Foundation to support outreach, education and screening for cardiovascular health.
Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) clinical fellow in cardiology Dr Fa’iz Mashood says the need for greater awareness is reflected in findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023.
“The findings highlight a concerning gap in awareness among young Malaysians with an estimated 95% of raised cholesterol cases, 80% of hypertension cases and 84% of diabetes cases remain undiagnosed,” he explains.
“The survey also found that two in five Malaysian adults had not undergone health screening in the past year, often because they did not experience any symptoms.”
Adopting healthier habits
While screening can help people identify potential risks, healthy habits are also important and must be integrated into daily routines.
The initiative builds on the commitment to driving greater awareness and prevention action on heart health. Through its annual “Walk A Million Miles” campaign with YJM and IJN Foundation, the programme has supported more than 98,000 health screenings in 2025 and aims to double that number by 2027.
“Nestle Omega Plus has been a valued partner in advancing heart-health awareness in Malaysia,” says YJM chairman Datuk Dr Aljafri Abdul Majid.
“Its continued contribution enables us to expand outreach programmes that encourage Malaysians to better understand their cardiovascular risks and adopt healthier lifestyles.”
IJN Foundation chairman Toh Puan Datuk Seri Hajjah Dr Aishah Ong adds: “Sustained partnerships are essential in driving meaningful health impact. Their continued support helps us extend the reach of our education and screening initiatives and empower Malaysians to take proactive steps towards better heart health.”
Meanwhile, for Nestle Malaysia chief executive officer Juan Aranols, the focus is on making healthy choices more practical for everyone.
“Promoting healthier lifestyles requires more than awareness alone. Together with YJM and IJNF, we are helping more young Malaysians to access heart-health education, screening and preventive support,” he says.
“As we continue to expand the initiative, we are also committed to providing practical solutions that make healthier choices easier to incorporate into everyday life.”
The "Walk A Million Miles" virtual challenge runs until Oct 31.
