KUCHING: Heart attack cases are worrying as it is on the rise in Sarawak, said interventional cardiologist Dr Tang Sie Hing.
The cardiologist from Timberland Medical Centre said there are several factors contributing to the high cases of heart attack, and one of them was stress-related.
“I think the cases are getting alarmingly high because of population growth. Another reason is due to the COVID-19 pandemic where people are stressed and this contributes to the incidence of heart attack,” he said.
He said this to New Sarawak Tribune when met during a special talk titled `What do you need if you have a heart attack?” held at Sarawak Islamic Information Centre which was organised by YSL Group today.
Another risk factor for developing heart disease, he said, is smoking as well as consuming illicit drugs.
“In Timberland Medical Centre here, we have cases of heart attack with the youngest patients who are in their 20s. While, the oldest patient we received is around 90-year-old,” he said.
When asked about the increasing cases of heart attack by percentage in Sarawak, Dr Tang said he does not have the details on hand, but the cardiologists in the government and private hospital are working extra hard nowadays to treat people with cardiovascular diseases.
“There are just too many patients and sometimes patients have to wait for days or weeks to get treatment.
“We just had too many patients. Probably not too many doctors at the moment,” he pointed out.
Dr Tang then said the government has been doing a very good job by creating awareness about heart diseases.
“But I think the government is also trying to build more facilities to cater for patients with heart problems. However, building facilities needs planning and takes time,” he said, while adding that every state in the country now all has a heart centre to cater for patients,” he said.
He said the only problem with Sabah and Sarawak is that the geographical area is big, and the government may need to think of how the government would build more heart centres in the state.
“Take for example, the people in Sibu and Miri, they travel all the way to the Sarawak Heart Centre in Samarahan to get her treatment.
“Most of the patients come to Kuching at the moment, so there is no other choice at the moment but to come to Kuching,” he said, while adding there are also patients coming to Kuching or Miri at the private hospitals to seek treatment.
To reduce the cases of heart attack, Dr Tang said it was important to know the signs and symptoms and know the pre-hospital cardiac care for heart attack.
“There are two outcomes from heart attack – succumb to death or survive a heart attack.
“So, please, ever ignore the signs and symptoms of heart attack such as chest pain, giddiness, breathlessness, palpitation, and nausea,” he said.
Meanwhile, the talk was divided into two sessions and have attracted participants of more than 1,000.
The talk, including a health exhibition, was organised by the Group’s as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to create more awareness on heart attack and to encourage people to do regular health screenings.
Participants were also able to get a free blood sugar test, body composition test, blood pressure test, oxygen level check, artery health check, foot profiling test, health consultation, blood and urine test, goodies bag and lucky draw during the exhibition.
