Deputy Minister of Health says heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Malaysia | Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 24 – From 2005 to 2017, heart disease remained the leading cause of death among Malaysians from 2005 to 2017, said Dr. Lee Boon Chye, Deputy Minister of Health.

However, he said it was noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as obesity, an unhealthy diet and a way of life that had contributed to the increase in heart disease.

"The increase in the aging population has also contributed to the increase in the number of heart patients and, with a longer life expectancy, continued treatment would be needed.

"By 2040, it is estimated that the population of Malaysians aged 65 and over will exceed six million, or 14.5 percent of the total population. This means that the burden of coronary heart disease is expected to increase in the near future, "he said at the opening of the Tung Shin Hospital Cardiac Care Center.

Dr. Lee said the increase in heart disease death rate was also a concern as it had increased 54% over 10 years with 13,503 deaths in 2017, up from 8,776 in 2007.

"In Malaysia, the average age of people with heart disease is 58, much younger than in other countries.

"In Thailand, the average age of people with heart disease is 65, Singapore (61), China (63), the United States (66) and Canada ( 68 years old), "he said.

In another development, Dr. Lee stated that it was not correct that parents view vaccination as a source of health problems in children, let alone badert that it could lead to disabilities.

"We have evidence that vaccination is effective and can prevent many diseases such as rubella, tuberculosis and tetanus.

"More than 98% of the population have been vaccinated against these diseases, the others not. For parents who still doubt the effectiveness of vaccination, they can file a complaint and we will conduct the investigations. In fact, other factors contribute to children's health problems, "he said.

Yesterday, the Director General of Health, Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, Director General of Health, urged parents to respect the national immunization schedule and not to believe in false propaganda about the harmful effects of vaccines on the networks social. – Bernama