Love your heart, make it healthy

KUCHING: The Sarawak Heart Foundation will celebrate World Heart Day 2024 on September 29 (Sunday) at Taman Perpaduan here, also known as Reservoir Park.

With the theme “Use Heart for Action,” this year’s event focuses on motivating all the countries in the world to develop its national action plan in combating cardiovascular diseases.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian highlighted the importance of World Heart Day as a day to raise public awareness about the heart’s health.

“Heart or cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, even here in Sarawak, deep in the jungle of Borneo. That is why we want everyone to love their hearts because we love them and want them to live healthy lives,” said Dr Sim during a press conference on the World Heart Day 2024 celebration at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.

He also shared alarming statistics, noting that Sarawak Heart Centre handled over 6,000 heart-related cases last year, with more than 2,000 involving blocked heart arteries.

“This highlights the critical need for public awareness about our heart’s health, and World Heart Day is an annual reminder to take action,” he said.

The event, expected to draw over 2,000 participants, is supported by the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Sarawak Heart Centre, and sponsors from corporate companies including SOP Foods Sdn Bhd, Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, Genesis Water, F&N Beverages Marketing Sdn Bhd and Farley Supermarket.

Activities will begin at 6.30 am, starting with free health screenings conducted by the Sarawak Heart Centre.

These will cover body mass index, blood glucose, cholesterol levels, and health consultations with doctors and physiotherapists will also be on hand to conduct fitness tests, while participants can join aerobics and line dancing.

The highlight of the day will be the ‘Walk-A-Mile’ event, for which registration is RM30 and each participant will receive a Sarawak Heart Foundation T-shirt, a cap sponsored by SOP Foods Sdn Bhd, breakfast and a lucky draw ticket.

The lucky draw prizes include household electrical items, with the first prize being an air conditioner.

World Heart Day is a reminder to everyone around the world to take care of their hearts. It is a global event that sees individuals, families, communities, organisations and governments around the world take part in activities to take charge of their heart’s health and those of others.