CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES A MAJOR KILLER IN MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Cardiovascular-related diseases account for 11,812 deaths or 25.4 per cent of the total deaths recorded last year, Deputy Health Minister, Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said.

She said those in the high risk were people with high blood pressure (56 to 63 per cent), diabetes (39-44 per cent), smokers (33-34 per cent), those with high cholestrol level (31-35 per cent) and those with family history of heart problems (9-13 per cent).

"The community has a high level of knowledge and awareness of cardiovascular diseases but has an indifferent attitude towards preventive action to reduce the risk," she told reporters after opening the 2011 Health Promotion Conference here on Monday.

In view of this, Rosnah said health promotion was important to instill positive behavioral transformation among the community.

"The role of health promotion practitioners and Health Education officers are important in bringing about positive change among the people," she said.

A total of 350 health officers attended the conference.
-- BERNAMA