Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Brunei Darussalam. In 2023, there were 520 deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases, of which 31 per cent were premature deaths. This was a five-per-cent increase over 2012. Meanwhile, 1,722 individuals were hospitalised with cardiovascular disease diagnoses.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar shared this in his message to mark World Heart Day and expressed concern over the increasing rate of premature deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases from year to year, especially in the last decade.
According to the World Heart Federation, cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke and heart failure cause more than 20.5 million deaths each year. In 2019 alone, an estimated 17.9 million people died prematurely (death before the age of 70), of which 38 per cent were due to cardiovascular diseases.
The minister said, “Cardiovascular diseases are increasingly attacking the younger generation and causing a significant social and economic burden to society. This issue needs to be addressed as early as possible, as most of the risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular diseases are preventable.”
World Heart Day, marked globally every September 29, aims to increase public awareness on cardiovascular diseases and their preventive measures.
The main risk factors contributing to cardiovascular diseases include behavioural, such as tobacco use; unhealthy diets, such as excessive fat and salt intakes; and leading an inactive lifestyle. In addition, biological factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, can also lead to cardiovascular diseases.
“By making small changes in lifestyle, a healthy heart can be maintained and cardiovascular diseases prevented,” the minister said.
This year’s theme, ‘Use Heart for Action’, emphasises individual reasonability to take proactive steps to maintain a healthy heart, as well as collective efforts that emphasise the importance of involvement and support of community in providing inspiration and encouragement to people to create a lasting positive change; and finally to provide equitable health access for all – a call to action in supporting equitable access to healthy heart, by empowering the community to insist on policies that overcome inequalities in health and ensure that every individual has the same opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle.
On an individual level, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said, “Several proactive steps can be taken to maintain a healthy heart, including understanding the characteristics of a healthy heart, such as having normal levels of blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol, recognising the symptoms of heart disease such as shortness of breath, dizziness or chest pain, increase awareness and knowledge on cardiovascular diseases and their preventive measures, following doctor’s instructions, and carrying out health screenings for early detection and treatment to prevent complications.
“Finally, individuals can practise healthy lifestyle, such as adopting a healthy diet, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and having good quality sleep to reduce stress,” he said.
The minister added, “The Ministry of Health has carried out several initiatives to encourage all levels of society to practise healthy living and detect risk factors through the BruHealth app.
“The BN on the Move Championship was introduced through the BruHealth app with several new features including community challenge, corporate challenge and incentive points system aimed to increase the level of physical activity in the community.
“A Health Index and Risk Assessment initiative has also been introduced to encourage people to assess their health and undergo regular screening.”
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham also urged every individual to “act now and be responsible for their own health in a bid to improve health. Let’s all take proactive steps and inspire people around us. Together, we can create positive change and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and high-quality life”. – James Kon
