Heartbeats For Health 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported in 2021, that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, with related occurrences of heart attack and stroke making up 85% of these cases. Over three quarters of CVD deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries. As health-conscious Malaysians, it is our responsibility to reduce behavioural risk factors such as:

• Tobacco use
• Unhealthy diets
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive use of alcohol

World Heart Day is celebrated on the 29^th of September each year. The three pillars that make up 2022’s #UseHeart campaign are:

• ‘Use Heart For Humanity’ - In the first pillar, issues of access to adequate heart treatment are put forth, as healthcare equity remains a socioeconomic issue. As air pollution is responsible for 25% of CVD-related deaths.
• 'Use Heart For Nature' - means to care for the planet’s health alongside your own.
• ‘Use Heart For You’ - The final pillar of the campaign addresses the harmful use habits that may lead to worsening CVD, with entirely avoidable disease caused by lifestyle choices.

In conjunction to World Heart Day, Manulife Malaysia has set forth an exciting challenge for all its employees on 6^th October 2022. In a team of 4, Manulifers have been sought to conquer the 16 storeys of Menara Manulife via the stairs, a heart-pumping trial of endurance to celebrate healthy hearts. 

The longstanding effects of the pandemic has left us all more health-conscious than ever. World Heart Day 2022 has been a reminder that to take care of your heart, is to take care of yourself first.