Fatal heart attack can happen to patients as young as 15

A fatal heart attack can happen to patients as young as 15 years old, according to National Heart Association president Datuk Dr Rosli Mohd Ali.

He said this was mostly due to dietary factors, work habits and genetic factors.

"Being an active person, such as an athlete, does not necessarily mean that he or she is spared from getting a heart attack because it can also happen based on other risk factors, such as being a smoker, having diabetes, high cholesterol, weight issue and family history."

He said this to reporters after attending the 8th Asia Pacific Cardiology Update@USM 2014 here Saturday.

Dr Rosli, who is also Head of Cardiology Department of the National Heart Institute, said in Malaysia, 40 percent of those who suffered a heart attack were not even aware that they had a heart problem.

"Approximately 27 percent of deaths recorded in hospital nationwide were due to heart ailment. In fact, sudden death due to heart attack has somehow become a new trend among the young people and this issue must be addressed," he added.