People in their thirties often believe that time is on their side and the thought of terminal illness seems far away.
However, for Ili Sulaiman, life changed when he suffered a heart attack at the age of 37. Heart attacks and other heart accidents are no longer a disease of the elderly: they are increasing among Malaysians aged 30 to 49, and even younger. According to the 2023 National Health and Wellness Survey, 7.6 million Malaysian adults suffer from high cholesterol, and the number of people between the ages of 25 and 29 is increasing. Therefore, heart health experts are crying out: it’s time to take this issue seriously. This was the main message of the public health conference recently organized by Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur. Held ahead of World Heart Day on September 29, the ’30 Successes: Bringing Heart Health to Life’ event aims to raise awareness of the often overlooked risk factors of heart disease and those who – grow up.
With a group of experts discussing the first prevention and lifestyle changes, the session presented one of its most influential testimonies from a young person cooking and feeling. “I think I’m a good person and healthy,” Ili said. But in January, after the New Year celebrations, he was not feeling well.
Like many girls, she took it for boredom. He recalls: “I was tired, my back hurt, my jaw was locked, and I was nauseous, all at the same time.
It was only when her husband raised her blood pressure and found that she was at high risk that she realized it was bad. He decided to sleep, but his symptoms worsened the next morning.
I woke up with chest pain, but I didn’t take it seriously, Ili added. If the pain of childbirth is 10, this pain
is only 3.
It wasn’t until he got to the emergency room that he truly understood the severity of the situation. Within minutes, I was on the bed and the doctor told me, “You can’t go home today.” You have a minor heart attack. »
Warning signs
According to Dr Ahmad Khairuddin, a cardiologist, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world. “We’re seeing a significant increase in high cholesterol levels, even among people under 25,” he said at the conference. Physiotherapist Sarjit Singh Johal and nutritionist Foong Pui Hing pointed out that unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles are the main causes of the increase in heart disease in Malaysia.
For Ili, this experience was a wake-up call. My body was sending me warning signs, like constant fatigue and even breakouts on my face, but I ignored them.
Anxiety has developed over the years as she juggles her role as a public figure and as a young mother. Life became better for me, he agreed. I don’t sleep well and I’m uncomfortable. Now, he focuses on living a healthy lifestyle. I have a second chance to live a better life. Ili’s story is not unique. While in the cardiology department, she met three other women with heart problems. It is an increasing problem among women, but there is a lack of awareness, Ili added. I almost never went to the hospital. If my husband had not pushed me, I might not be here today.
Ahmad emphasized that identifying the origin is important. Many people think, “I eat healthy and exercise, so I’m healthy.” » But many things cause heart disease. The only way to know is to get checked regularly.
Expert advice is clear: don’t wait until it’s too late
