Tag: #HealthAwareness

  • OVA Launches New Campaign with Malaysian Celebrities to Empower Women’s Health Journeys

    OVA Launches New Campaign with Malaysian Celebrities to Empower Women’s Health Journeys

    Malaysian celebrities Siti Nordiana, Diana Danielle and Shila Amzah have teamed up with OVA, Malaysia’s largest licensed telehealth platform, to raise awareness about obesity and encourage women to take charge of their health.

    The campaign aims to challenge the common perception that weight management is simply about willpower. Instead, it highlights the many factors that can influence a person’s weight, while helping women gain better access to modern healthcare solutions and professional medical support.

    Through stories that many women can relate to, the three celebrities hope to spark more open and honest conversations about obesity and women’s health. While their personal journeys have played out in the public eye, their experiences reflect the realities faced by countless women across Malaysia.

    “Obesity remains one of the biggest health challenges in Malaysia, yet the conversation has often focused on appearance rather than overall health,” said Tom Reynolds, Vice President of Marketing at OVA.

    “We know that weight management is much more complex than simply having willpower. Many women face challenges when it comes to getting help, whether it’s because of busy schedules, limited awareness or difficulty accessing treatment. Through this campaign, we want to help remove those barriers and make healthcare more accessible.”

    The issue is particularly significant in Malaysia. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey, 54.4% of Malaysian women are classified as overweight or obese. Excess weight has also been linked to a range of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension, with more than 70% of NCDs associated with obesity.

    Adding to the concern, many people still do not recognise obesity as a medical condition. Studies show that 57% of individuals living with obesity do not accurately identify their condition, often resulting in delayed treatment and a higher risk of developing serious health complications.

    At the heart of the campaign are Siti Nordiana, Diana Danielle and Shila Amzah, who are sharing their own experiences with body changes, weight management and the pressures that come with different stages of life and career. By opening up about their journeys, they hope to encourage more women to seek professional advice and take a proactive approach towards their health.

    To support this effort, OVA offers online consultations with licensed doctors, personalised treatment plans and continuous medical support, making it easier for women to access healthcare from the comfort of their homes.

    “Through OVA, we want to make evidence-based obesity care more accessible through telemedicine,” Tom added. “By partnering with inspiring women like Siti Nordiana, Diana Danielle and Shila Amzah, we hope more women will see their own experiences reflected in these stories and feel empowered to take control of their health.”

    OVA is a digital healthcare platform focused on transforming weight management care across Southeast Asia. By combining medical consultations, personalised treatment plans and ongoing support, OVA helps remove many of the obstacles that often prevent people from seeking help. The platform also offers discreet home delivery services, allowing users to access care conveniently and privately.

    During an intimate sharing session, the three celebrities spoke openly about balancing family responsibilities, career commitments and personal health. Their conversations highlighted how factors such as hormones, stress, lifestyle changes and motherhood can all influence a person’s weight.

    Siti Nordiana shared that life experiences such as motherhood, work commitments and everyday stress can significantly affect women’s bodies over time.

    “I hope this campaign helps more women understand that weight management is about much more than willpower alone and gives them the confidence to prioritise their health in a way that works for them,” she said.

    Diana Danielle reflected on growing up in the spotlight, where changes in her appearance and weight often became topics of public discussion.

    “Like many women, there were times when I struggled to understand why managing my weight felt so difficult. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that our bodies and needs change throughout different stages of life. I hope this campaign reminds women that they’re not alone and encourages them to take positive steps towards better health,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Shila Amzah said becoming a mother completely changed the way she viewed her health and future.

    “Motherhood made me think more seriously about being healthy and being there for my children. I’ve learned that weight is influenced by many factors beyond diet and exercise, including hormones, biology and the demands of daily life. Through this campaign, I hope more women feel empowered to understand their health better and make informed decisions for themselves and their families,” she said.

    For more information about OVA and its services, visit getova.com.my.

  • The Hidden Damage of High Blood Pressure on the Heart

    The Hidden Damage of High Blood Pressure on the Heart

    High blood pressure often does not present immediate warning signs and is frequently perceived as just a number on a screen. However, if left untreated, it can quietly place continuous strain on the heart and blood vessels, significantly increasing the risk of serious and long-term cardiovascular complications.

    In Malaysia, nearly one in three adults is affected by hypertension, yet many remain unaware of their condition. Often described as a “silent killer,” it typically begins with vague symptoms while hidden damage gradually accumulates over time. In conjunction with World Hypertension Day, Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC), Dr Gary Lee Chin Keong, highlights the importance of understanding high blood pressure, recognising its symptoms, and being aware of key health numbers to protect heart health.

    The heart and blood vessels function as a continuous circulatory system, with the heart acting as a pump and the vessels serving as a network of pathways. When blood pressure remains elevated over time, the heart is forced to work harder to circulate blood throughout the body. According to Dr Gary, the heart initially adapts by becoming thicker and stronger, but this adaptation is not beneficial in the long term. The ongoing strain eventually causes the heart muscle to stiffen, reducing its ability to fill and pump efficiently.

    One of the earliest manifestations of this process is left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a thickening of the heart’s main pumping chamber. As the muscle wall thickens, the chamber has less space to fill with blood, and the heart may struggle to receive sufficient oxygen. Over time, it becomes stiffer, less flexible, and more vulnerable to failure. LVH is particularly concerning because it can develop long before any symptoms appear and is often only detected through tests such as an echocardiogram, which reveals structural changes in the heart.

    Many individuals with hypertension remain unaware of underlying heart damage because they feel completely well even as critical changes occur within the heart. Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, or fainting are often mistaken for stress, fatigue, or indigestion. By the time these symptoms become more obvious, complications may already be advanced. This is why regular health screening is essential, even in the absence of symptoms, as long-term high blood pressure increases the risk of heart failure, stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, and abnormal heart rhythms.

    woman patient suffering from heart attack

    Dr Gary also highlights the link between hypertension and atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that can disrupt normal blood flow and increase the risk of blood clot formation, potentially leading to stroke. He explains that hypertension does not only affect the heart but also has wide-ranging effects on the brain, kidneys, and blood vessels throughout the body. Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death in Malaysia, making early detection and prevention critically important.

    He further notes a concerning trend of increasing hypertension and heart disease among younger Malaysians. Previously considered a condition affecting older adults, hypertension is now being diagnosed more frequently in individuals in their 20s and 30s. Modern lifestyle factors such as long working hours, chronic stress, insufficient sleep, lack of physical activity, smoking, excessive salt intake, and high consumption of processed foods are major contributors. Obesity and diabetes further increase the risk, creating what Dr Gary describes as a “dangerous cluster” of cardiovascular risk factors. As a result, complications are appearing earlier and persisting for longer periods.

    The good news, however, is that early detection can significantly improve outcomes. Dr Gary encourages Malaysians to begin monitoring their health numbers as early as their 20s, including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body weight. Depending on individual risk profiles, doctors may also recommend further tests such as ECG, echocardiography, stress tests, or CT cardiac scans. When hypertension is detected early and managed appropriately, changes to the heart may be slowed and, in some cases, partially reversed or improved over time.

    Management typically involves a combination of medication, dietary modifications, regular exercise, weight control, smoking cessation, stress management, and consistent follow-up care. Dr Gary also emphasises that patients should not stop their medication without first consulting their treating doctor.

    He concludes with a simple but powerful message: know your numbers and take action. Early detection and timely intervention remain the most effective ways to protect heart health and reduce the risks associated with high blood pressure.

  • SunMed Ajak Komuniti Amal Gaya Hidup Sihat Dalam Karnival 2026

    SunMed Ajak Komuniti Amal Gaya Hidup Sihat Dalam Karnival 2026

    Pusat Perubatan Sunway, Bandar Sunway (SMC) akan menganjurkan Karnival Health Living SunMed 2026, sebuah acara komuniti berasaskan kesihatan, pada Ahad, 26 April 2026, dari jam 10 pagi hingga 4 petang bertempat di Lobi Menara D, SMC. Bertemakan “Kesihatan Lebih Baik. Kehidupan Lebih Bermakna” (Better Health. Better Life), karnival ini bertujuan memupuk gaya hidup sihat, memperkasakan penjagaan kesihatan melalui langkah pencegahan, dan meningkatkan kesejahteraan komuniti. Ia juga menyediakan peluang kepada individu dan keluarga untuk mengambil langkah praktikal meningkatkan kesihatan secara menyeluruh dalam suasana interaktif dan menyeronokkan.

    Data terkini menunjukkan bahawa tahap kesihatan dan kesejahteraan rakyat Malaysia memerlukan perhatian serius, terutamanya berkaitan penyakit tidak berjangkit (NCD) yang berpunca daripada faktor gaya hidup. Kadar obesiti kekal tinggi, dengan lebih 2.85 juta kanak-kanak berumur 5 hingga 19 tahun dijangka mengalami berat badan berlebihan atau obes menjelang 2026, selain menjejaskan lebih 32.6% populasi dewasa. Peningkatan prevalens NCD seperti diabetes, penyakit kardiovaskular, dan kanser juga menjadi kebimbangan utama di negara ini.

    Sejajar dengan sambutan Hari Kesihatan Sedunia pada bulan April, karnival ini bertujuan meningkatkan kesedaran rakyat Malaysia tentang kepentingan penjagaan kesihatan melalui pencegahan, pendidikan, dan pengamalan gaya hidup sihat. Tan Mei Shin, Pengarah Kanan Pembangunan Perniagaan dan Komunikasi Korporat SMC, berkata bahawa kepentingan pesakit dan komuniti adalah teras utama setiap usaha hospital. Beliau menambah bahawa melalui karnival tahunan ini, SMC berharap dapat memperkasakan rakyat Malaysia untuk mengukuhkan imuniti, mengekalkan kecergasan fizikal, dan mengamalkan gaya hidup aktif, seterusnya menginspirasi komuniti untuk mengutamakan kesejahteraan diri bagi menjalani kehidupan lebih sihat dan bermakna.

    Pengunjung karnival berpeluang mengikuti pelbagai saringan dan penilaian kesihatan yang dikendalikan oleh Pusat-Pusat Kecemerlangan SMC, termasuk Analisis Komposisi Badan, Ujian Glukosa Darah dan Kolesterol, Ujian Tekanan Darah Postural, Ujian Ketahanan Sit-to-Stand, dan banyak lagi. Selain itu, pelbagai aktiviti interaktif dan informatif turut disediakan, seperti Cabaran Lightning Reflex, Cabaran Pickleball, Marketplace Hidup Sihat, reruai kesedaran kesihatan, pendengaran dan kanser, sesi kuiz, serta cabutan bertuah.

    SMC baru-baru ini diiktiraf sebagai hospital terbaik di Malaysia dalam ranking Hospital Terbaik Dunia Newsweek 2026, menjadikannya tahun kedua berturut-turut menerima penghormatan tersebut. Hospital ini juga dinobatkan sebagai Hospital Terbaik (Hospital of the Year) buat tahun kelima berturut-turut, selain menerima anugerah Inisiatif Hospital Pintar Terbaik (Smart Hospital Initiative of the Year) di Healthcare Asia Awards 2026. Pengiktirafan ini mencerminkan komitmen berterusan hospital dalam memacu kecemerlangan klinikal serta memperkukuh reputasi global dalam keselamatan pesakit dan keberkesanan klinikal.

    Untuk mendaftar dan mendapatkan maklumat lanjut mengenai karnival ini, sila layari: https://sunmedcarnival2026.sunwaymedical.com/