Contrary to popular belief, heart diseases do not only strike the old or the unfit. This is especially alarming for Malaysians. Statistics shockingly reported that Malaysians suffer heart attacks at a younger age ~58.6 years compared to 63.4 to 68 years in most developed countries.2Additionally, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as stroke and coronary heart diseases have championed the leading causes of death in Malaysia in the recent years (NHMS 2019)1.
What’s worse, about 1.7 million Malaysians are now living with high blood sugar, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels, notoriously known as the major risk factors for CVD.
Nutrition plays a major role in heart health and can impact your risk of heart disease. Likewise, certain foods can influence blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol levels and inflammation, all of which are contributory to heart disease. Hence, to reduce your risk of heart disease, it is crucial to eat more nutrient-rich and high fibre foods, as well as healthful fats. Here are some practical recommendations for a heart-healthy diet.3
