Preventative heart care is not on the top-of-mind for most Malaysian adults. I am shame to admit that I am one of the many Malaysian that has taken heart disease lightly. Heart disease often perceived as an illness that most likely happens to the elderly. Little did I know it can happen to even younger generation too. Now, numerous research was done and proven that Malaysians in their thirties are now more likely to have arteries of a person aged seventy years old due to the unhealthy lifestyles that we chose to live. This lifestyle indirectly are pushing young Malaysians to suffer heart disease at a younger age that what we perceived. I know it better than anyone because I was told that I too have heart disease almost 7 years ago.
Nearly 20 millions Malaysians above the age of 18 years are at risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which may in turn lead to the development of heart disease, based on the 2015 National Health and Morbidity Survey. Did you know that one out of two Malaysians are suffering from high cholesterol? Heart disease can be in several different forms, from heart attack, narrowing of arteries, abnormal heart rhythms, breaking down of the heart valve or heart muscle and degeneration of blood vessels, amongst others. Generally, these are known as cardiovascular heart disease, or CHD.
My Story
I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism almost 7 years ago and my level was so off the chart that even my doctor were shocked. I remember leaving the clinic after each blood check with four handful of medications. So much that I stole the limelight at the clinic. I guess it was intriguing to see a young girl leaving the clinic with so much medication with her. So much medication that even I was embarrassed. With Hyperthyroidism or even Hypothyroidism, one tend to suffer from slight heart disease.
Back then, my heart was beating so fast as if I was jogging. I was told not to do any exercise as I could collapse and die from heart attack. It was only last year I started dipping my toes into running. Although it has been a few years since I stopped my medication, the heart illness is still there. My heart is weaker than other normal people so I could not run non-stop for too long. Even till now I still consult with my doctor from time to time to see if I am fit enough to run any races, just in case my heart could not take it.
That is my story 🙂 . Many other Malaysian suffer from heart disease too. Linda Chan, 57, single parent shared that she had friends who passed away at the young age of 37 from heart health issues. “Just gone in their sleep”, as she recalls. She added that heart disease or fatalities does not just happen to people at her age as cholesterol and heart problems does not develop overnight. Linda, who worked long hours in her younger years coupled with regular seafood feasts now with her family when eating out are up to a challenge for her to manage her heart health. She will try to be more vigilant with her diet the next day to balance her eating habit up, such as opting for steamed dishes at home and drinking milk with added plant sterols to block cholesterol.
Managing Heart Health
Besides eating a healthy balance diet, there are also 3 key factors that you need to know to manage your heart health holistically.
(1) Physical Activity
Try to get at least some form of physical activity every day. It can be walking to the office or taking the stairs. As long as your body moves and some calories are burn. A combination of moderate and vigorous activity thirty minutes a day, five times a week are highly suggested by the American Heart Association.
(2) Medical Check-Up
Yearly health check-ups are important even if you are as healthy as a horse. You should know the state of your health such as your blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate, blood glucose and weight. These numbers will help to provide a benchmark for upcoming check-ups.
(3) Eat a balanced diet
This of all is the hardest for most of us. Many tend to overstuff their stomach, stretching them to the max. You should always aim to only fill half your plate with vegetables and fruits and fill the rest by consuming milk with added plant sterols to block the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream. According to Heart UK, the Cholesterol Charity, plant sterols are especially effective in lowering cholesterol levels by up to 10% when taken at optimal doses and as part of a diet low in saturated fat in just over 3 weeks. They are considered to be the most effective single food that can lower cholesterol as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. You may find plant sterols in small amounts in many grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. To make your life easier, just drink two glasses of Nestlé Omega Plus a day to manage your cholesterol levels!
Brands such as Nestlé Omega Plus have made it a mission to encourage Malaysians to take action NOW for their heart health. They have made it a mission to be Malaysia’s heart health advocate. With that, I am happy that Nestlé is having a Walk-A-Mile on the coming 3rd September 2016 (Saturday) for all Malaysians, regardless young or old, at the Lake Gardens (Perdana Botanical Gardens). Walk-A-Mile is Malaysia’s longest running walk for heart health advocacy, jointly organised by Nestlé Omega Plus and Yayasan Jantung Malaysia (YJM). I for sure will be there! 😀
According to Ng Su Yen, Business Executive Manager, Milks of Nestlé Malaysia, Nestlé Omega Plus has reached out to Malaysians to take charge and care for their heart through Walk-A-Mile in collaboration with YJM for the past 14 years and they are looking forward with great excitement to sharing heart healthy activities with everyone at Walk-A-Mile.
For more information, please visit www.nestle.com.my or Nestlé Malaysia Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NestleMalaysia. Be a part of heart health advocacy at Walk-A-Mile 2016 by registering at https://mro.myraceonline.com/wohd16/registrations.
