{
  "id": 5692681,
  "title": "Healthy, fit – and still at risk of heart disease",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/healthy-fit-and-still-at-risk-of-heart-disease-5692681",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T01:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/09/05/healthy-fit-and-still-at-risk-of-heart-disease"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Columbia Asia Hospital in Petaling Jaya is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a heart health promotion until September 30. A 33-year-old woman, who had no prior health issues, recently visited the hospital due to her heart racing unexpectedly. Tests showed a 70-80% blockage in one of her blood vessels and high cholesterol levels she was unaware of. Dr Chua Ping Lik, a consultant interventional cardiologist at Columbia Asia, explained that coronary artery blockages, previously common in patients aged 50-60, are now increasingly found in people in their 30s and 40s. Despite many Malaysians engaging in regular exercise, Chua notes that being fit isn’t enough to prevent heart disease. He advises that subtle signs, such as decreased stamina, breathlessness, an unusually fast or irregular heartbeat, and palpitations, should prompt people to seek medical attention. Chua also emphasizes the importance of regular screenings, recommending an electrocardiogram, comprehensive blood tests, an exercise stress test, and an echocardiogram. He advises following Malaysia’s quarter-quarter-half healthy plate concept and getting a baseline heart check by age 30, followed by annual screenings from age 40.",
  "summary": "Cardiologist Chua Ping Lik says hidden risks can affect even young, active adults, making early screening all the more important.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Healthy, fit – and still at risk of heart disease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/healthy-fit-and-still-at-risk-of-heart-disease",
        "published": "2026-09-05T01:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}