Malaysia and Heart Disease

Living in Malaysia there are plenty of good food to enjoy. A poor diet which can cause unhealthy cholesterol levels can easily develop when we do not pay much attention on what we eat every day. In an interview, Dr. Beni Rusani from the National Heart Institute, Malaysia pointed out high cholesterol level is the key risk factor of heart attack and it affects approximately 40% of Malaysian adults. 

 

So, how serious is heart disease in Malaysia? 

 

1. Ischaemic heart disease, which can ultimately cause heart attack, is the leading cause of death in Malaysia since 2005^1,2. Furthermore, it was the principal cause of death for the 41-59 years old age group³. 
2. At the same time, Malaysia is the ‘fattest’ countries in Asia. Obesity is a serious health issue in this country where 64% of male and 65% of female are either overweight or obese¹! Unfortunately, obesity increases the risk of heart disease. 
3. And, Malaysians suffer heart attacks at a younger age; the average age being 58 years old when compared to those in Thailand (68 years old), Singapore (61 years), China (63 years old), USA (66 years old) and Canada (68 years)².  

We want to stay healthy. And, we want you to stay healthy too! 

 

A matter of fact, heart disease is preventable when we adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle. Therefore, Healthy Heart’s vision is to encourage a whole food plant-based diet, the foundation for all who wants to keep one’s heart healthy. We believe a combination of a whole food plant-based diet and a heart-healthy lifestyle, keeping your heart healthy is doable, simple and straightforward. 

 

What do we mean ‘231’? 

 

It means a diet that consumes more vegetables and fruits, whole grains and legumes, and consumes less meals which are high in fat, sugar and sodium. It also means one regular exercise as part of heart-healthy lifestyle is a must. 

 

We understand behavioural change is difficult and it sounds like you have to give up all your favourite foods. Meanwhile, it takes time to build the habit of eating more healthfully. We can help. Visit our blog at https://healthyheart231.blogspot.com/search/label/Products to find out these plant-based and wholesome products which are suitable for all ages. 

 

References:

 

1. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Malaysia for 13 years. 2019 [Internet]. Cited 8 February 2022]. Available from https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1688010

2. https://easily.sinchew.com.my/node/2530/年轻心脏病·突发性居多·提高健康意识为关键

3. Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia, 2021 [Internet]. 2022 [Cited 7 February 2022]. Available from https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=401&bul_id=R3VrRUhwSXZDN2k4SGN6akRhTStwQT09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09

Disclaimer: Healthy Heart 231 information aims to help readers understand heart health, and encourage them adopting a whole food plant-based diet. It does not replace care provided by medical practitioners and other qualified health professionals. 

Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Diseases – KNOW THE DIFFERENCES

As when we embark on this Healthy Heart 231’s journey, we come across the use of “heart disease”, and “cardiovascular disease” interchangeably in articles, reports and journals. So, we wonder does one different from another? How can we differentiate them? And, we decided to take a closer look at these two. 

 

Heart disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the structure or function of your heart. These conditions include^[1][2]:

 

1.     Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease (also known as coronary heart disease).

2.     Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)

3.     Heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects)

4.     Heart valve disease

5.     Disease of the heart muscle 

6.     Heart infection 

 

Although there are different types of heart disease, the most common among them is Coronary Artery Disease. Therefore, when people talk about “heart disease” they often mean coronary heart disease which is another term for coronary artery disease. 

 

On the other hand, we have “cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)” which sometimes is used along with certain heart health conditions. In fact, cardiovascular diseases include all heart conditions as well as the arteries distribute blood to the brain, legs, and everywhere in between^[3]. CVDs are all about diseases that affecting your heart and blood vessels, and these can be^[4]:

1.     Coronary heart disease. Disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle.

2.   Cerebrovascular disease. Disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain and the most commonly known is Stroke.

3.     Peripheral arterial disease. Disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs.

4.   Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. A condition when blood clots in the leg veins which can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs.

5.  Congenital heart disease. A malformation of the heart structure from birth affecting the normal development and functioning of the heart. A birth defects.

6.    Rheumatic heart disease. A damage caused by streptococcal bacteria to the heart muscle and heart valves. It most commonly occurs in childhood, and can lead to death or life-long disability^[5].

 

That's say all heart diseases are cardiovascular diseases, but not all cardiovascular diseases are heart disease. Nonetheless, both diseases have commonality in lifestyle risk factors namely (1) the unhealthy diet; (2) physical inactivity; (3) tobacco use; and (4) excessive alcohol use. In fact, these are the most important lifestyle risk factors for developing coronary heart disease and stroke. The effects from the unhealthy diet and physical inactivity in particularly will show up in individuals as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood cholesterol, and overweight and obesity. 

Heart diseases and cardiovascular diseases can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices. Of course, there are exceptional cases such as heart defects but it should not stop you from practicing a healthy lifestyle. Protect yourself from heart disease and stroke because they are preventable and it is doable, simple and straightforward in your daily living. 

Sources:

1.     Heart disease. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118 (Accessed on 4 August 2021) 

2.     Types of heart disease. https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/what-is-heart-disease/types-of-heart-disease(Accessed on 4 August 2021)

3.     Heart disease. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/disease-prevention/cardiovascular-disease/#definition(Accessed on 19 July 2021)

4.     Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)(Accessed on 5 August 2021) 

5.     Rheumatic heart disease. 2020. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rheumatic-heart-disease (Accessed on 5 August 2021)

Disclaimer: Healthy Heart 231 information aims to help readers understand heart health, and encourage them adopting a whole food plant-based diet. It does not replace care provided by medical practitioners and other qualified health professionals.