Silent Cardiac Threat To Malaysian Men In Their 30s

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ACCORDING to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, over 33% or 7.6 million Malaysians are living with high cholesterol levels. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among Malaysian men, responsible for 17.6% of deaths among Malaysian men in 2025.

A silent cardiac crisis is increasingly impacting men in their 20s and 30s, only to be diagnosed after a heart attack, stroke or a blood test.
Dr Richard Chan Tze Ming, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Internal Medicine Physician and Dr Lim Eu Jack, Consultant Emergency Physician at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, are seeing this trend firsthand.
“Heart problems are no longer just an ‘uncle’s disease’. We’re seeing more young adults come in numbers,” said Dr Chan.
Dr Lim also echoes this sentiment: “The youngest I’ve seen with serious heart attack were in their early 30. There are also a significant number of men who only discover they had high blood pressure or undiagnosed diabetes only after they arrive in the emergency room with chest pain or a heart attack,” he noted.
Paying attention to high cholesterol
At the centre of many of these cases there is high cholesterol. Dr Chan noted that a condition called dyslipidemia, or abnormal blood lipid levels, can affect anyone regardless of age.
Studies have also found that familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) affects about 1 in 100 people or 320,000 Malaysians, which is higher than global averages.
Dr Chan also pointed out that while diet can account for some of your total cholesterol levels, genetics is also an important cause.
“Some people are genetically wired to produce more bad cholesterol, even if they exercise and eat clean. That’s why we see patients who hardly eat oily food but still end up with high cholesterol. It’s not just about what you eat, it’s about how your body works,” he said.
Business executive sleeping at his desk in officeDr Lim also highlighted hidden dangers that are discovered during a medical emergency.
“High cholesterol is very common, but it’s not usually detected in the ER because it requires fasting and isn’t routinely tested in emergencies. High blood pressure tops the list of undiagnosed conditions. Diabetes is also frequently undiagnosed until complications set in. These conditions are often silent for years, which is why regular health screening is so important,” he remarked.

Lifestyle and bad habits make it worse
While genes play a role, lifestyle is worsening the problem in young men, putting them at risk of early heart disease.
“Even after exercising, many young people head to mamak stalls or fast-food outlets. Processed food, reused cooking oil, and trans fats all increase LDL cholesterol,” said Dr Chan.
Dr Lim echoed the concern. “Many men ignore early signs like chest discomfort, fatigue, or breathlessness often blaming gastric issues or tiredness. With risk factors like smoking, poor diet, and family history, delaying help can be fatal,” he added.
“Smoking, in particular, is the most significant risk factor we see among younger patients with heart diseases.”
What can Malaysians do?
Both doctors stress that it starts with awareness and simple action. According to Dr Lim, a blood test and blood pressure check can quickly reveal issues like high cholesterol, diabetes, or hypertension.
“Knowing your numbers is the first step to taking control. These are modifiable risk factors, and if managed early, we can prevent serious complications like heart attacks and strokes,” he continued.
“Don’t wait until you have symptoms. Cholesterol is silent. If you have a family history, are overweight, or smoke, you should be screened as early as your 20s,” Dr Chan concurred.
For those with very high cholesterol, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. Medications are often required to bring it down to safer levels.
But does this mean giving up all your favourite food? “Not at all. I always tell patients, don’t deprive yourself. Eat in moderation. A healthy lifestyle must be sustainable. If you go too strict, you’ll rebound and overeat later,” advised Dr Chan.
Early screening can make a difference later
Whether you’re a father of three in your 40s or a 28-year-old who jogs twice a week but eats fast food daily, the message is the same, start health screening early.

“Your heart health doesn’t wait. The best gift you can give yourself is awareness and action before it’s too late,” said Dr Chan.
“Feeling healthy is different from being healthy. Prioritising prevention and early screening is vital to patient safety, as it is far easier and safer than emergency treatment. Take care of your heart now, so you can enjoy life with your family later,” Dr Lim added. ‒  Focus Malaysia

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