Early Detection, Lifestyle Changes Key To Preventing Irregular Heartbeats - Cardiologist

By N. Kuvineshwaren

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Arrhythmia or irregular heartbeats, particularly atrial fibrillation (AF), are among the most common but often undetected heart rhythm disorders in Malaysia and can lead to serious complications such as stroke and heart failure if left untreated.

Consultant Cardiologist at Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) Dr Koh Kok Wei said AF is the most common arrhythmia worldwide, affecting about one per cent of the population, and that the risk is higher among individuals aged 65 and above, and in patients with diabetes and hypertension.

“AF is essentially an irregular heartbeat, and its danger lies in the increased risk of stroke and, in some cases, heart failure. Many patients only realise they have AF during routine check-ups or after complications occur,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview.

Dr Koh noted that some patients present with shortness of breath, leg swelling, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing, while others may only discover AF when admitted to the emergency department after a stroke.

Dr Koh, who specialises in electrophysiology, said modern treatment for arrhythmias has advanced significantly compared to decades ago when open-heart surgery was required to physically cut and remove abnormal electrical pathways in the heart.

“For arrhythmia, especially fast and irregular heartbeats, most treatments are usually done through small punctures, without the need to open the chest. They are often performed under local anaesthesia with light sedation. In many cases, patients can be discharged within a day after radiofrequency ablation,” he said.

He noted that the success rate for treating supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a fast heartbeat condition, exceeds 95 per cent, while outcomes for atrial fibrillation are steadily improving as technology advances.

Dr Koh also stressed the importance of timely diagnosis and the need for comprehensive hospital services to ensure seamless care.

“A full-fledged cardiac hospital should ideally include electrophysiology services, along with the technology and expertise to manage complex heart rhythm disorders,” he remarked.

SJMC is equipped with two state-of-the-art angioplasty systems, which significantly enhance the hospital’s capacity to diagnose and treat complex heart conditions.

Strategically located on the same floor as the Cardiac Ward and Coronary Care Unit (CCU), the new facility improves patient access, safety, recovery time, and clinical outcomes - doubling the number of patients who can now benefit from life-saving catheterisation services.

Reinforcing this commitment to excellence, SJMC’s Cardiology service is accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) as a Centre of Excellence (COE).

Meanwhile, Dr Koh urged Malaysians to adopt healthier lifestyles to reduce their risk of heart rhythm disorders.

“Eat healthily, exercise more, and go for regular medical check-ups. Lifestyle and diet definitely contribute a lot to the current landscape of diseases,” he said.

Malaysians aged 40 and above should undergo regular medical screenings, as many conditions start with no or minimal symptoms, he added.

-- BERNAMA

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