More M'sians Dying Of A.T. Than Cancer, Says Cardiologist

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- More Malaysians are dying from atherothrombotic (A.T.) events than cancer.
This alarming trend is expected to worsen in the years to come, especially since many Malaysians are not aware that atherothombosis, one of the world's worst killer disease, is the common underlying cause of coronary artery disease which leads to heart attacks, strokes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Atherothrombosis Advisory Board Malaysia (AAB) chairperson, Datuk Seri Dr Robaayah Zambahari said atherothrombosis was too dangerous to ignore as the mortality rate among 50,000 patients admitted to government hospitals for the diseases in 2004 was nine percent or over 4,000 fatalities.
In comparison, the mortality rate of cancer patients admitted in government hospitals was only seven percent, she said.
"The unfortunate thing is that many of these deaths could have been avoided," said Dr Robaayah during her presentation at the 'Looking A.T. Tomorrow' campaign supported by global pharmaceutical giant Sanofil-aventis, here Tuesday.
Sanofil-aventis initiated a survey in Asia, involving about 800 respondents, including 103 Malaysians to help improve education and awareness among Asia's risk-groups, and its younger generation who would have to come to grips with the disease in the future.
Revealing the findings of the survey, Dr Robaayah said about 70 percent of Asians, including Malaysians have never heard of atherothrombosis, even if they have suffered a stroke or a heart attack.
"What this indicates is the lack of an active dialogue between patients and physicians in discussing the connection between the different vascular diseases and their prevention. This number is startling because it means that the general public does not know about atherothrombosis, its symptoms and how it affects the different parts of the body.
"There are many things an average Malaysian can do to reduce the risk of developing an atherothrombotic event like a heart attack, stroke or PAD," added Dr Robayaan, who is also the Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Head of Cardialogy at the National Hearth Institute (IJN).
When a person develops atherothrombosis, the arteries have become dangerously clogged and are unable to deliver sufficient blood to maintain normal bodily function, thus leading to heart attacks, PAD, and/or strokes. The arteries of someone suffering from atherothrombosis look like they have an extended traffic jam which severely affects smooth blood flow.
Among the risk factors that could lead to atherothrombosis are obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Lifestyle factors like of exercise and smoking also contribute to increased risk.