Visitors embrace CPR lessons, checkups and workouts at Heartchella 2026
MORE than 1,000 visitors turned a heart health campaign into a day of checking, learning, moving and having fun at Heartchella 2026 at Gurney Plaza in Penang.
Held in conjunction with World Heart Day, the event by Northern Heart Hospital Penang brought health checks, technology, fitness activities and practical lessons together in a relaxed setting.
Visitors began by checking their blood pressure, glucose levels and heart rhythm through finger electrocardiogram (ECG) tests.
They also learned more about their heart risks through an artificial intelligence-based heart risk assessment.
Participants learned lifesaving skills at the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) hub.
Those looking to get active received personalised exercise advice based on their health before putting it into action through Body Combat workout sessions or the Bike Challenge, where participants rode while checking their heart rhythm.
Visitors who completed activities also collected stamps and entered a lucky draw for prizes, adding a fun element to the health-focused event.
Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said people were generally more willing to send their cars for routine maintenance than to have their own health checked.
“We are able to schedule an appointment to send our car for routine maintenance.
“But unfortunately, we don’t do the same for our own body and our own health.
“By right, our health and wellness is more precious compared to our personal vehicles,” he said.
Gooi said more people should check their heart health before symptoms appeared, as many risks could go unnoticed until it was too late.
“Today is about bringing prevention closer to the community in a way that is simple, engaging and meaningful,” he added.
Northern Heart Hospital chief executive officer Kelen Leong said the event was aimed at making heart health more approachable.
She said the term “Heartchella” came from the local phrase “heart check la!”, reflecting the hospital’s aim of combining health education with fitness, technology and entertainment.
Northern Heart Hospital person-in-charge Dr Tan Chiang Soo said the event aimed to help people understand their heart risks and take action earlier.
The event also highlighted the hospital’s Heartbeats of Penang corporate social responsibility initiative, which provides free percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment to eligible B40 patients.
Tan said five patients had received free PCI treatment under the programme this year, its second year.
One of the recipients, IT technician Md Azan Yusrie Md Yusof, 38, from Bayan Baru, was found to have an 80% to 90% blockage in three of his blood vessels after developing heart problems in October last year.
“The PCI treatment would have cost RM70,000 to RM80,000, which I could not afford. I am very grateful for the free treatment by Northern Heart Hospital,” he said.
Md Azan, who received the treatment last month, is now back to his normal routine but continues to monitor his health and diet.
Also present at “Heartchella” were Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Penang Hospital director Dr Goh Hin Kwang and Seberang Jaya Hospital director Dr Shameni Sunasundram.
