Heart disease, cancer and accidents top killers in the country — Dr Sim

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KUCHING: Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said heart disease is the number one killer taking away the lives of many Malaysian patients.

Dr Sim giving a health talk on the heart to Serian folk.

He said the second killer disease was cancer but fatal accidents would count as killer No 3.

Speaking on health at Serian Community Hall last Sunday, Sim said statistics show Malaysia has the highest number of diabetics, those with high cholesterol and high blood pressure in the whole of South-east Asia.

Diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are most likely the causes of complications related to the heart, he said.

The heart specialist said symptoms of a heart attack could be heartache (on the left side) and sweating.

He added that age, gender and family heredity were also amongst the causes of heart attack.

Lifestyle and habits like smoking, obesity and lack of exercise are root causes but all these could be controlled, Dr Sim pointed out.

With an ageing population in Malaysia, the government has therefore spent much on medical facilities and upgrading of medical services, he said.

In 2006, the population of those under age 15 dropped from 32.4 per cent to 26.4 per cent while the number of the elderly increased from 4.3 per cent to 5.3 per cent.

Malaysia is also facing an obesity problem. In 2011, 29.4 per cent of Malaysians were found to be overweight and the number of obese females was more than than males.

Dr Sim, who is also SUPP president, urged members of the public to take less sugar and salt and if possible quit smoking, in order to avoid heart-linked diseases.