Monday, July 9, 2007

Fast Fact: Heart Disease


Heart disease has been the number one killer in Malaysia since 1970 (source: Ministry of Health, Malaysia). Last year 40,000 patients died of heart disease in public hospitals alone, representing 15.5% of total deaths.

The profile of people suffering from cardiovascular disease is changing. Once considered a disease mainly affecting men in their fifties, now an increasing percentage of people seeking treatment for heart disease are in their thirties and forties, when they should be at their productive peak and are often the main providers for their families.

While the waiting list for treatment grows longer, funds for treatment are limited and the remaining time for critical care ticks away.

Look closely at the picture. That's how complicated the heart is - kilometres, upon kilometres of veins, arteries, capillaries, if laid end to end.

Imagine how easy it is for this amazing fretwork to get clogged. And how tough it is to treat.

Click on the link to National Geographic to find out more on the advances in cardiology.


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