In conjunction with World Heart Day 2020, Nilai Medical Centre (Nilai Medical) launched its campaign, Your Heart Matters, a 30-minute per day challenge to encourage the general public about the importance of exercising as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The 30-minute per day challenge comprises a variety of exercises that suit each individual’s preference.

Whether it is a 30-minute walk, run, jog, or simple exercises such as squats or sit-ups, the objective is to allow your body to be active and get your heart rate up.

“It is worrying that some of us neglect every possible way to improve their lifestyles – if our food intake is not accompanied by any form of exercise, the excess energy is stored as fat in the body. Over time, we are only inviting unwanted complications to our bodies, thus affecting our overall health. By making a few changes to our lifestyles, we can reduce our risk of heart disease. It will also improve our quality of life and setting a good example for the next generation,” said Jasmine Lau, Chief Executive Officer, Nilai Medical.

According to Ms. Soh Hui Fang, Senior Dietitian of Nilai Medical, a healthy diet and lifestyle are our best weapons to fight heart disease. Whether we are looking to improve our heart health, have already been diagnosed with heart disease, or have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, there are healthy diet tips that can help better manage heart conditions and lower our risk of a heart attack.

“A healthy meal pattern should include a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fish and poultry, nuts and legumes, and healthy oils as well as drinking enough of water,” Soh added.

 

Through this campaign, the hospital’s objectives are to improve the public’s knowledge of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), drive prevention, diagnosis, and control of CVD, and most importantly, to encourage fellow Malaysians to influence their family and loved ones to start making healthy choices for a healthier life.

Lau also highlighted that the hospital has recently collaborated with Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL), one of Malaysia’s first private and integrated cardiac and vascular hospitals in the region, to assist in providing medical and surgical treatments including interventional cardiology services and cardiothoracic surgeries.

“CVSKL is a center of excellence for advanced cardiac and vascular treatment. Coronary heart diseases have long been the leading cause of death over the years, but we are also seeing patients who are younger with multiple risk factors and an increasing trend of complex cases. Working with Nilai Medical Centre will allow us to raise heart disease awareness and provide greater access to cardiac and vascular care services in the Negeri Sembilan community. We want everyone to know that early detection of cardiovascular diseases leads to early intervention, and thus, a better outcome,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Yahya Awang, Chairman and cardiothoracic surgeon of CVSKL.

“Our five centers of excellence namely the Heart & Lung Centre, Vascular & Endovascular Center, Cardiac Diagnostics Center, Arrhythmia Program and Structural Heart Program are aimed at amplifying CVSKL as a dedicated center for all matters of the heart. Having all these specialties under one roof allow us to treat all kinds of heart diseases, from simple to complex conditions,” Dr. John Chan Kok Meng, cardiothoracic surgeon of CVSKL.

Despite efforts to educate public on modifiable risk factors, the rate of CVD continues to rise.

The level of knowledge and awareness amongst general public is alarmingly low.

Observing the low awareness of CVD in Malaysia, Nilai Medical is offering a customised health screening package worth RM168 to existing and new patients on a first-come, first-served basis.

“The health screening package offering is our way of encouraging people from all walks of life to come forward and understand the condition of their health. We want to drive action to educate people that by controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided. Health screening is the first step to addressing this issue,” concluded Lau.

The team at Nilai Medical is committed to building a healthy society through its medical expertise, nursing excellence, and customer-centric care.

For more information on Nilai Medical Centre and its heart screening packages, visit www.nilaimc.com or ‘Like’ their Facebook page.