SUNWAY MEDICAL CENTRE WORLD HEART DAY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS DANGERS OF 'SILENT' CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Cardiovascular disease remains a leading health threat in Malaysia, accounting for a significant 32 percent of global mortality. Despite this, public awareness of its dangers remains at a concerning level.

In response, Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City(SMC), took the initiative to organise a World Heart Day 2025 awareness event to highlight the critical importance of prevention through expert talks and practical demonstrations.

Held at the SMC Convention Centre on Sept 27, the event successfully gathered approximately 500 participants.

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A statement from SMC highlighted that cardiovascular disease is the world's leading cause of death, accounting for roughly 32 percent of fatalities, yet its silent nature means many people are unaware they are affected.

“Many are unaware of their heart condition until it reaches a serious stage, highlighting the importance of regular screenings in improving patient safety and reducing the risk of complications,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, SMC’s senior director of Business Development and Corporate Communications, Tan Mei Shin, emphasised that World Heart Day is a vital public reminder about the importance of early detection and lifestyle choices.

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"We hope participants leave with a renewed commitment to heart health, putting the shared tips into practise and spreading this knowledge to their families and friends. This is how we can collectively save lives and empower our community," she said.

The event featured insights from Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Richard Chan Tze Ming, and Consultant Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Dr Gary Lee Chin Keong, who shared essential heart care tips, which included the importance of monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol levels and pulse rate, as well as recognising early warning symptoms.

“The specialists stressed how regular check-ups, a healthy diet and timely treatment can have a profound impact on cardiac health,” said SMC.

Participants also had the opportunity to take part in an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) workshop, which provided practical, hands-on exposure to detecting a cardiac arrest and delivering life-saving care.

SMC announced that the programme also included health screenings as part of its public education and community outreach initiatives, designed to encourage proactive heart health awareness.

Samsung Malaysia Electronics showcased wearable devices for real-time heart monitoring, which attracted significant interest for their role in daily health and lifestyle management.

SMC's reputation for excellence is well-established, having been recognised among the world's top 250 hospitals in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals for both 2024 and 2025.

Furthermore, it was listed among the top 75 hospitals for cardiac surgery in Newsweek’s Best Specialised Hospitals Asia Pacific.

Its cardiology department has received this same accolade for three consecutive years since 2023. These achievements reflect the medical centre’s continued excellence in specialised cardiovascular care, aligned with its focus on patient safety and satisfaction.

"With 80 medical specialties across 28 Centres of Excellence and 810 licensed beds, SMC is set to expand to over 1,100 beds upon the completion of its sixth block, Tower F, the Children’s Pavilion,” the statement concluded.  

-- BERNAMA