IJN brings World Heart Day celebrations to Ipoh

Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) is bringing its annual World Heart Day roadshow to Ipoh, packed with fun and informational sessions around heart disease and prevention. The event which started on September 28 will run until October 2 at the Ipoh Parade, from 10am to 10pm.

The five days will feature a myriad of activities, ranging from educational talks and forums, to hands-on fitness sessions and games on nutrition for children. Visitors also stand to win exciting door gifts and prizes by participating in the activities organised.

To help people take the pulse of their current health status, IJN will be offering health screenings throughout the roadshow. These include basic health screenings, such as tests for blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels; electrocardiography (ECG) screenings, echocardiography (ECHO); and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) test, which checks for peripheral artery disease.

Those interested in pursuing an education in health can check out their study options at IJN College’s booth. Since 2007, IJN College has been offering courses and training in cardiovascular and thoracic science, as well as related disciplines such as healthcare management.

Meanwhile, working professionals looking to begin their career with IJN can come
along for walk-in interviews on Oct 1 and 2 at WEIL Hotel from 10am to 5pm.

In addition to the roadshow, IJN is also hosting a public forum at WEIL Hotel on Oct 2 from 10am to 2pm. The forum will see IJN cardiologists and experts delivering a series of interactive talks on various aspects of heart health and well-being.

Among the topics that will be covered are cardiac arrest, diabetes and foot health, and ways of keeping healthy levels of blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are responsible for some 17.9 million deaths around the world every year. The WHO further asserts that 86% of these deaths could have been prevented, or at least delayed, through prevention measures and adequate treatment.

With these statistics in mind, World Heart Day is celebrated every September 29 to encourage everyone to take stock of their heart health and lifestyle habits. As Malaysia’s leading heart specialist, IJN has marked this annual event through its roadshow and public-facing programmes to educate and inform the community-at-large about heart disease and prevention.