PETALING JAYA: Muhammad Asraf Sukadi was once a dedicated cyclist, riding between 60km and 80km each week. At 47, he thought he was hale and hearty.
Then, one day, he had what he thought was severe gastritis. It was actually far worse – it was a heart attack.
“I thought it was severe gastric pain. After a week of suffering, I went to the emergency room, and I was told I had actually suffered a heart attack,” said the National Registration Department officer.
CLICK TO ENLARGE“I was down and sad, but I knew I had to move on and follow the treatment plan,” he said.
Cycling is now off-limits for him. Even work must be paced carefully.
Asraf has since become meticulous about his diet and medication.
“Once you’re past 40, don’t wait until it’s too late. Go for regular check-ups.
“Don’t think that just because we exercise regularly and feel healthy, we don’t need health check-ups,” he advised.
He is not alone. Heart disease, the world’s leading killer, often strikes without warning. The message is clear – it can happen to anyone, at any age.
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Homemaker Azura Abdul Rahman was only 24 when she was told she had severe heart valve damage caused by rheumatic fever. She required a mechanical valve replacement.
The lifelong medication that followed has brought challenges, especially during pregnancy.
“I have to be on warfarin (a blood-thinning medication) for life.
“Warfarin is not safe for pregnancy, so the process of conceiving and delivery for patients on warfarin is very complicated and requires close monitoring by doctors and specialists,” said the now 34-year-old.
She added that parents must take childhood illnesses seriously.
“If your children have prolonged fever, please do not delay in getting treatment. A fever left untreated can lead to lifelong heart problems,” she said.
Retiree Alladin Ariffin, 73, vividly remembers the shock he experienced upon receiving his diagnosis.
In 2010 – when he was 58 – he woke up in the middle of the night with severe chest and back pain.
Doctors told him his heart artery was blocked and that he needed immediate bypass surgery.
“I was terrified. I thought about my wife and children, and whether I would survive,” he said.
His recovery was slow. He could not drive or do gardening for months, but with his family’s support, he regained his strength.
He now adheres to three principles: abstaining from smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and taking daily brisk walks.
“Don’t ignore the symptoms. Prevention is far easier than going through surgery,” he said.
Missy, now in her 60s, was another person who had a nasty surprise. A routine abdominal ultrasound six years ago indicated a gallbladder problem.
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And when she was wheeled into surgery, the ECG (electrocardiogram) showed a very erratic heart rhythm and rapid heartbeat.After her gallbladder was removed, Missy’s surgeon recommended that she consult a cardiologist. She was then told she had coronary artery disease. She is currently on medication.
Retired businessman Bashir Ahmad Ibrahim, aged 73, experienced a heart attack at the age of 57.
“I was driving when it happened, and my kids took me to the hospital where doctors inserted a stent,” he said.
Several years later, his condition worsened.
An angiogram showed his earlier stent had become blocked, requiring more procedures.
“I’ve had several angiograms and more stents since then. I will admit my diabetes is probably the main cause of my heart condition,” he said.
Bashir Ahmad believes that heart disease is the number one cause of death in Malaysia likely due to people’s lifestyle and eating habits.
He said Malaysians are known to eat rich and oily food and also consume sugary drinks.
The younger generation, he said, had to be more wary about their life choices.
