PETALING JAYA: There have been 100,986 admissions at the Health Ministry’s (MOH) hospitals for patients suffering from ischaemic heart disease in 2023, according to the ministry’s data.
In 2019, there were 88,940 admissions, followed by 84,389 in 2020, 74,396 (2021) and 90,822 (2022).
Ischaemic heart disease refers to heart damage caused by narrowed heart arteries.
For outpatients, there were 119,002 patients treated in 2021 and 2023 respectively and 145,810 in 2022.
As for deaths, there were 16,336 cases in 2019; 18,525 cases (2020); 21,482 (2021); 20,382 (2022) and 18,121 (2023).
“The MOH advocates for inter-agency collaboration on a voluntary basis to strategically place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at public facilities,” the ministry said in a statement to The Star.
At the same time, the ministry also prioritises empowering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in the community,” it added.
To keep heart disease at bay, the ministry says the people should maintain a healthy lifestyle through a diet that encompasses food high in fibre and low in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol to prevent high cholesterol.
One should also limit the intake of highly processed foods as well as salt and sugar to ensure blood pressure and blood sugar levels do not rise.
You should maintain a healthy weight, get sufficient sleep and try to handle stress. You should go for an annual health screening and avoid substances such as alcohol or smoking.
You should also avoid a sedentary lifestyle and be physically active, it said.
Adults, it said, should participate in aerobic activities with moderate-intensity exercises for at least 150 minutes a week or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week.
They can even combine both segments provided that it is spread throughout the week.
Asked whether adults who are actively involved in sports or intense physical activities are at a high risk of coming down with a heart attack, the ministry said activities that involve high levels of exertion can increase the risk of certain cardiac events.
However, there are other factors that come into play such as pre-existing or undiagnosed heart conditions that can be exacerbated by the stress of intense physical activity and environmental factors such as extreme temperatures, dehydration and high altitudes which can also increase the strain on the heart.
“High-intensity activities like competitive sports can place a significant strain on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
“This is especially true for individuals who are not accustomed to such levels of exertion,” it said.
Individuals with health issues are advised to get clearance from their doctors before getting involved in exercise, especially high intensity sport activities, it added.
Nonetheless, the ministry said physical activity is beneficial for one’s health.
“Engaging in physical activity and maintaining adequate cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with health advantages for all individuals, including those with cardiovascular risk factors and for patients with cardiovascular disease.
“Any type of physical activity yields positive effects on an individual’s cardiovascular health, contributing to a 27% reduction in relative risk of cardiovascular mortality,” it added.
